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Supporting Voluntary & Community Action           October & November 2009




                                                                                                   Inside Voscur’s
                                                                                                   Magazine
                                                                                                   Hitting the Headlines –
                                                                                                   Voscur’s Annual Event

                                                                                                   Voscur Awards – last chance
                                                                                                   to nominate

                                                                                                   Safeguarding the Sector

                                                                                                   Twenty’s Plenty

                                                                                                   Social Enterprise Day

                                                                                                   Intelligent Commissioning

                                                                                                   Funding Opportunities

                                                                                                   Social Class – an equality
                                                                                                   strand?

                                                                                                   Power to the People?
Image: Circomedia – André Pattendon




                                                                                                   Charity Law Updates

                                                                                                   Training and Learning

                                      “For the last vacancies we had a huge response and
                                      the standard of applicants was very high. We would
                                      definitely use Voscur again.”

                                      Circomedia recommend Voscur’s Website Jobs Page
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
Welcome


Contents
4	         Editorial                                                    22-23	 Equalities
                                                                                    Social Class – an equality strand?
5	         Voscur	Annual	Event
                                                                                    Different and Equal
6	         Voscur	and	Sector	News
                                                                        24-25	 Have	Your	Say	—	Power to the People?
           New Chair for Voscur
           Bristol Rape Crisis                                          26-27	 Children	and	Young	People
           Take a Stand                                                             Gathering Voices
                                                                                    Voscur Children and Young People’s
9	         Recession	Support                                                        Network
           Safeguarding the Sector
                                                                        28-29	 How	To	—	Funding
10-11	 Compact	News                                                                 Funders’ Fair 2009
           Intelligent Commissioning
                                                                                    Web-based Funding Resources
           Compact Newsletter
                                                                        30-31	 How	To	—	Green	pages
12	        Sector	News                                                              Green Maps
           Schumacher Lectures
                                                                                    Twenty’s Plenty
           Well Women
                                                                        32-33	 Duty	to	Involve
13	        Member	Profile                                                           Vital Role for Sector
           Unchosen
                                                                        34	         Volunteering	Bristol
14-15	 Social	Enterprise	Week                                                       Opportunities to Volunteer
16-19	 Voscur	Training	and	Learning	                                    35	         Constitution	Corner
           Collaborative Working
                                                                                    Charitable Companies – keeping up
           Voscur Learning                                                          to date with the Law

20	        Vox	Pops                                                     36	         Diary
           Creative ways to reduce the negative
           impact of empty shops on the high street

21	        Voscur’s	Website	Working	for	You
           Promote and Recruit via the Voscur website




  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	December/January	edition	of	Thrive!:	
  Monday	2	November	for	ads	and	Tuesday	24	November	                    this way. The newsletter is also available online
  for	flyers.	Details	of	prices	at	www.voscur.org/magazine	             as a pdf at www.voscur.org/magazine
  or	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 7 October / November 2009                                                                                      www.voscur.org          3
Editorial


  Dear Voscur member/supporter
  We are constantly evaluating            The Regeneration Partnership
  our work, and are reluctant             recognised the importance
  to yet again ask our members            of community involvement in
  what you think of our services,         decision-making and for the first
  but we want to make sure that           seven years of Voscur’s life SRB
  when we make an offer to the            funding supported Voscur’s work.
  Council to deliver infrastructure
                                          When that funding ended in
  services, we have our members
                                          2002, Bristol City Council
  behind us.
                                          acknowledged our value by
  Next year, Bristol City Council         granting us a three-year service
  intends to commission services          level agreement. This gave some
                                                                                 Wendy Stephenson
  such as those delivered by Voscur.      stability and enabled us to apply
  Voscur has been part of a group         for other funding. Members
  of local infrastructure providers       began to ask us to provide             think we should be doing? Please

  that has worked with the Council        support such as information            visit: www.survey.bris.ac.uk/

  to produce a survey, which aims         and funding advice and in 2001         voscur/member2009

  to find out the support needs of        we registered as a Council             I look forward to seeing you at
  voluntary and community sector          for Voluntary Service. When            our Annual General Meeting and
  organisations in Bristol. Using         Bristol’s voluntary sector training    Conference on Wednesday
  the results of that survey, and         organisation folded, groups asked      21 October. See page 5 for details.
  feedback from discussion groups         us to deliver training, which is now
  and interviews, a Council project       much valued by the sector.             Wendy Stephenson,
  group will design a commissioning                                              Chief Executive, Voscur
                                          Changes within the Council have
  framework. This will describe how
                                          meant that since 2005, Voscur has
  the Council will (or won’t) buy
                                          had one-year funding agreements
  services like Voscur’s in the future.
                                          (as have many of our member
  Voscur was set up by                    groups) with the City Council.
  community activists who                 We hope that commissioning will        Key	to	symbols
  got together and formed                 mean that short-term funding
  the Voluntary Organisations             arrangements will end and we will               Equalities	Article
  Standing Conference on Urban            once again have some stability.
  Regeneration (VOSCUR) because
                                          So, we are sorry to have to ask                 Training
  communities in Bristol didn’t
                                          you – we know you are probably
  have a voice on the Bristol
                                          surveyed out – please complete
  Regeneration Partnership,                                                               Resources
                                          our membership survey and tell us
  which had been set up to
                                          what you think of us, what could
  manage the Single Regeneration
                                          we do differently – or are there                Event
  Budget (SRB), a government-
                                          things that we don’t do that you
  funding programme.


4 www.voscur.org                                                                 October / November 2009     Issue 7
Hitting the Headlines
      Voscur	Conference	&	AGM
     Wednesday 21 October 2009, 9.30am – 2.30pm
     St	Paul’s	Community	Sports	Academy,	Newfoundland	Road,	Bristol,	BS2	5NH



                    Voscur is pleased to welcome Councillor Barbara Janke, Leader of the Council,
                    to present this year’s Voscurs. Don’t forget to make your nomination for the
                    Voscurs at www.voscur.org/voscurs2009

                    We’ve got some great Bristolian prizes from local supporters for our Voscur
                    winners, including a balloon ride and a year’s subscription to our local listings
                    magazine, Venue

                    Debra Allcock-Tyler, the Chief Executive of the Directory of Social Change,
                    and an inspiring and challenging speaker, will open the event and give the
                    keynote speech.

                    We are mining the wealth of expertise within our membership who will lead
                    discussions on managing the media, getting a difficult message across, using
                    new social media and hitting the headlines.

     Our media panel includes: Angela Frain, News Editor, BBC Radio Bristol; Richard Coulter,
     Deputy Editor, Evening Post; Phil Gibbons, Director, Bristol Community FM and Stacy Yelland,
     Community at Heart.

     We know, though, that whatever we prepare for the day, the most valuable part will be the
     contributions that you bring and the networking and meeting up with contacts and friends
     old and new.




       To	book	please	visit:	www.voscur.org,		
       email:	polly@voscur.org	or	tel:	0117	909	9949.




Issue 7 October / November 2009                                                            www.voscur.org   5
Voscur and Sector News


  New Chair for Voscur
                     Voscur is           independent charity, a limited      proposed as chair because of her
                     pleased to          company and a key force for         leadership skills and experience.
                     announce that       community development in
                                                                             Wendy Stephenson, Voscur’s
                     its new chair is    East Bristol.
                                                                             chief executive said, “It’s
                     Joanna Holmes.
                                         Joanna said “I see my role as       great to have a chair from an
                     At its meeting
                                         helping the Board work as a         organisation so firmly rooted in
  on 20 July 2009, Voscur’s
                                         team, and I anticipate that a key   the community. I look forward to
  board formally elected
                                         element of the work will be to      working with Joanna”.
  Joanna as chair, following the
                                         support Voscur’s chief executive
  resignation of Red Cottam,                                                 The Board formally thanked Red,
                                         in her work.” Joanna hoped that
  who has left the sector to                                                 and wished her good luck for
                                         the Board would share other
  pursue other interests.                                                    the future.
                                         responsibilities, which may have
  Joanna Holmes is chief executive       historically been seen those of
  of Barton Hill Settlement, a
  community resource centre for
                                         the chair.
                                                                             Take a Stand
                                         Tara Mistry, Voscur’s co vice-
  Barton Hill and the surrounding                                            Life Cycle provides free cycle
                                         chair said that Joanna had been
  area. The Settlement is an                                                 parking under our Take a
                                                                             Stand scheme. Voluntary


  Bristol Rape Crisis
                                                                             sector groups, schools,
                                                                             small businesses, surgeries,
                                                                             in fact almost any type of
                                                                             organisation, are welcome
  As a result of a local campaign,       Sunday afternoons, which will       to apply.
  Bristol City Council prioritised       be extended by the New Year.
                                                                             Cycle parking enables your
  sexual violence against women
                                         Women who use the service           staff or visitors to travel by
  in its Area Plan, enabling them
                                         are supported by trained,           bike. It also tells the world
  to fund a Rape Crisis Centre.
                                         sympathetic female volunteers       that you welcome cyclists.
  The newly launched Bristol Rape        who understand about sexual         Organisations based in Bristol
  Crisis provides a specialist support   violence and its impact on          or in South Gloucestershire are
  service for women and girls in         women’s lives.                      eligible for up to four stands
  Bristol who have experienced                                               free of charge.
  any form of sexual violence at
                                                                             For details and to apply please
  any point in their lives; this
                                                                             download the Bristol and
  includes rape, sexual assault,
                                                 Helpline: 0117 929 8868     South Glos application form
  sexual abuse, stalking and any
                                                                             from our website:
  form of sexual intimidation.                   Contact: Vanessa Powell     www.lifecycleuk.org.uk or
                                                 Tel: 0117 929 956           call us on 0117 353 4580 for
  They currently offer a
                                         Email: vanessapowell@               more information.
  help-line service twice a week
                                         bristolrapecrisis.org.uk
  on Wednesday evenings and


6 www.voscur.org                                                             October / November 2009       Issue 7
New Voscur members


Who’s joined Voscur recently?
Addiction                             road rides around Bristol. The aim    centre. They are always looking

Recovery Agency                       is to promote cycling as a positive   for more volunteers and are
                                      and enjoyable experience.             run by a volunteer
The Addiction Recovery Agency
                                                                            management committee.
(ARA) provides treatment to           To find out more Tel:
thousands of people experiencing      07783 475680                          To find out more visit:
problems because of drug and                                                www.communityatheart.co.uk
alcohol misuse and dependency.        Integrate Bristol                     Tel: 0117 353 3995
With 80 staff and 20 volunteers       Works with refugees, immigrants
ARA is now one of the largest         and minority ethnic groups in         Calling the Shots (CTS)
voluntary organisations in the        and around Bristol. Their work        Films Ltd
South West.                           includes: being a resource for        An award-winning production
                                      young people up to the age of         company based in Bristol.
To find out more visit:
                                      21 through advice, assistance         Established in 1998, CTS delivers
www.addictionrecovery.org.uk
                                      and organising a programme            broadcast, digital video and
Tel: 0117 930 0282
                                      of physical, educational and          multiplatform projects for TV,

Special Friends Club                  other activities.                     corporate clients and education
                                                                            providers. CTS have a strong
Run by parent volunteers, it          To find out more Tel:
                                                                            track record in talent
provides support to families who      0117 963 8173
                                                                            development, documentary
have children with disabilities
and special needs via a Holiday       Circus Maniacs School                 and factual programmes.

Activities Club. Members have         of Circus Arts                        To find out more visit:
opportunities to join an activity     Founded in 1995, Circus Maniacs       www.callingtheshots.co.uk
or outing every week during           is an independent circus training     Tel: 0117 930 0140
the school holidays throughout        school operating as a not-for-
the year.                             profit company. The school            The Learning Curve
                                      promotes education and health by      Delivers training within the South
To find out more visit:
                                      encouraging involvement in the        West. It aims to be a centre of
www.specialfriendsclub.org.uk
                                      arts including, circus, acrobatics,   excellence in supporting individual
Tel: 07982 719839
                                      drama, mime, dance, singing,          and organisational development

Bristol Super Rider                   music, visual arts and multimedia.    in the voluntary and community

(BSR Cycling Club)                    To find out more visit:
                                                                            sector and in widening access for
                                                                            all communities.
Provides a cycling service to         www.circusmaniacs.com
people of all ages. Supports          Tel: 0117 947 7042                    To find out more visit:
national charitable rides and also                                          www.learningcurve.org.uk
has sponsored rides to support        Bristol Somali                        Tel: 01225 792500
local charities. They have Fun Days   Resource Centre
for families and young people and     Somali residents work
also organise on-road and off-        together in the running of the



Issue 7 October / November 2009                                                                www.voscur.org     7
Recession Support


  Safeguarding the Sector
  Local picture                          There are more demands on the        City of Bristol College can offer
                                         sector to demonstrate its distinct   learning opportunities for staff
  Voscur has been visiting
                                         value, its efficiency and value      being made redundant, and
  community groups in Bristol to
                                         for money, to assess outcomes        human resources support. Social
  find out their support needs. This
                                         and outputs, and the quality and     Enterprise Works can offer one
  has been an eye opener to the real
                                         quantity of services. There is       off sessions on business advice
  effects of the economic climate
                                         pressure to improve performance      and business planning, the
  on our communities. Many groups
                                         and no room for complacency.         Ethical Property Foundation can
  share the challenges of reduced
                                                                              support groups with property
  working hours and funding cuts.        With many organisations in the
                                                                              health checks.
  This has tightened the focus           sector facing the effects of
  around what groups can offer,          the recession – even big names       For further information about
  and often means that staff and         such as Shelter and the NSPCC        what Voscur and other Bristol
  volunteers are being stretched.        are making job cuts – it is vital    groups and organisations can
  There are groups teetering on          that third sector organisations      offer please see our recession
  the edge of collapse in this           understand their legal obligations   support page: www.voscur.org/
  current climate, and some have         if forced to downsize. Despite       recessionsupport or contact Ruth
  not survived. As organisations         the Government’s announcement        Pitter at Voscur: 0117 909 9949.
  disappear the hard work invested       of a £40m bailout for charities
  to build services is being hacked      earlier this year, many will face    Top tips
  away; retrieving what is being lost    making redundancies over the         Think one step ahead and plan
  will be at an enormous cost. It is     coming months.                       strategies for safeguarding your
  within this context that working                                            organisation. Here are some
  together is vital.                     What help is available?              quick tips:
                                         There is help available – the        • Ensure you are clear about
  A firmer sense of                      number one rule is to seek             which of your organisation’s
  purpose                                support before it’s too late.          activities contribute most to
  The recession has instilled a firmer   Voscur, with support from the          your mission. If you have to
  sense of purpose for many groups       Bristol Partnership recession          defer or cut activity you will
  whose services are a lifeline          mitigation fund and Quartet            have a clear basis for doing so.
  for individuals across the city.       Community Foundation, can            • Ensure your services are
  Many community groups have             offer help to groups that are          meeting your members’ needs.
  hopes to expand and develop            struggling, or groups working        • Analyse the demand for your
  their services and it is important     with individuals and communities       services – bear in mind that the
  to think more creatively about         through the recession. Support on      recession may put a different
  sharing resources to achieve this.     offer includes advice on funding       slant on demand.
  Voscur is encouraging groups to        and commissioning, collaboration     • Act quickly and decisively –
  think about collaboration with         and merger, governance support,        good information systems
  similar groups to strengthen their     ICT, and free training places.         are important alongside
  services and broaden their vision      In addition there are other            strong governance.
  for the future.                        organisations that can help.


8 www.voscur.org                                                              October / November 2009       Issue 7
Recession Support




• Consider ways to reduce costs    National picture                      On the positive side, more
  – back office suppliers and                                            charities are now using the
                                   Charity Times reported in July
  bulk buying.                                                           recession as a management
                                   2009 that research shows that
• Diversify your income                                                  opportunity, with 78% of
                                   more charities are feeling the
  stream and consider mergers                                            respondents taking action as a
                                   effects of the recession, and that
  and collaboration.                                                     result of the recession, up from
                                   56% of charities expect a decline
• Communicate with all                                                   71% in November 08.
                                   in their income.
  stakeholders and remember this
                                                                         But there has been little change
  includes staff and members.      The Charity Finance Directors’
                                                                         in the number of respondents
• Retain and motivate your best    Group, the Institute of Fundraising
                                                                         who felt they had adequate
  staff – try not to cut your      and PricewaterhouseCoopers
                                                                         financial planning systems in
  training budget.                 research highlights that 80% of
                                                                         place. In particular, only 56% of
• Be realistic and optimistic      charities are expecting income to
                                                                         respondents (a 1% drop from
  about the increased demand       remain flat or to decline.
                                                                         November 08) felt they had
  on your services.
                                   Charities have seen a greater than    adequate cash flow monitoring
          www.nicva.org/index.     expected decline in almost every      systems in place.
          cfm/section/General/     income stream. The exceptions are
                                                                         20% are still expecting to see cuts
          key/260309-Recession-    statutory income, where 83% of
                                                                         in services, despite the fact that
          Toolkit                  respondents indicated no change,
                                                                         36% expect to see an increase in
 www.recessionsupport.org.uk/      although some 70% expect a
                                                                         demand for their services.
 main/index.php                    decline or no change.


Issue 7 October / November 2009                                                              www.voscur.org    9
The Compact


   Promoting the Good and
   Challenging the Bad
   Louise Clark, Compact Liaison Officer



                       In my role as Compact Liaison Officer, I am meeting commissioners
                       (people who are designing and buying services) and providers
                       (organisations that can offer services) to explain my work programme
                       and to make links with Compact partners.



   A number of issues have already         Eight Principles of Intelligent          particularly those working with
   been raised, which show me the          Commissioning:                           hard-to-reach groups.
   need to promote the good and                                                  6. Ensuring contracting processes
                                           1. Understanding the needs of
   to challenge bad practice, helping                                               are transparent and fair,
                                              users and other communities
   us all to work in a Compact                                                      facilitating the involvement
                                              by ensuring that, alongside
   compliant way.                                                                   of the broadest range of
                                              other consultees, you engage
                                                                                    suppliers, including considering
   A key issue is the lack of                 with third sector organisations,
                                                                                    sub-contracting and consortia
   knowledge of how commissioning             as advocates, to access their
                                                                                    building, where appropriate.
   processes work and of how                  specialist knowledge.
                                                                                 7. Ensuring long-term
   decisions are made. The impact          2. Consulting potential provider
                                                                                    contracts and risk sharing,
   of this is that providers either feel      organisations, including those
                                                                                    wherever appropriate, as
   disengaged with commissioning              from the third sector and
                                                                                    ways of achieving efficiency
   processes or they want to address          local experts, well in advance
                                                                                    and effectiveness.
   the reasons for not getting                of commissioning new
                                                                                 8. Seeking feedback from
   through the process, but do not            services and working with
                                                                                    service users, communities
   know what those reasons are.               them to set priority outcomes
                                                                                    and providers in order to
                                              for that service.
   Equally, commissioners want to                                                   review the effectiveness of
                                           3. Putting outcomes for users
   make sure they are developing                                                    the commissioning process in
                                              at the heart of the strategic
   open and clear processes to                                                      meeting local needs
                                              planning process.
   providers. This is where the
                                           4. Mapping the fullest practical      The Compact needs to be
   eight principles of Intelligent
                                              range of providers with a          reflected in all the ways the
   Commissioning can help as a way
                                              view to understanding the          different sectors communicate
   of determining if there is Compact
                                              contribution they could make       and work together. That is why
   compliance taking place.
                                              to delivering those outcomes.      it is important that polices,
                                           5. Considering investing in the       procedures, partnership
                                              capacity of the provider base,     agreements, staff induction



10 www.voscur.org                                                                October / November 2009         Issue 7
The Compact




programmes and any work or          Council is one such area. Staff
documentation refer to the          working on the programme are                   If you need help to

Compact and that organisations      developing the commissioning                   engage with the

sign up to the Bristol Compact.     methodology for commissioners                  Compact, contact me

Checklists are in development       and providers. They are keen to        at Voscur on 0117 909 9949 or

to help organisations be            ensure transparency, so have           email louise@voscur.org.

Compact compliant. There will       been working with me to                You may also be interested in
be promotional events in the        build in the eight points of           looking at the national Compact
coming months to help support       Intelligent Commissioning.             website: www.thecompact.org.
compliance and further raise                                               uk and Compact Advocacy can
                                    The Compact News newsletter
awareness of the Compact.                                                  give further advice on Compact
                                    that will be produced every two
This will include a Compact                                                compliance: www.ncvo-vol.org.
                                    months (current issue available via:
sign-up campaign.                                                          uk/compactadvocacy
                                    www.voscur.org/compact) is an
I want to make the Compact more     excellent place for you to share
than just good practice guidance.   the Compact compliant work you
It needs to be meaningful –         are doing and to promote the
something with the strength of      good and give examples of where
the signatories behind it and a     you have successfully challenged
tool to positively take forward     the bad.
partnerships in Bristol. As we
                                    There is a regional Compact too.
all begin to feel more Compact
                                    At times, local organisations
confident and start to promote
                                    provide regional services, or
good practice, we can share
                                    may bid for regional tenders,
examples of how the use of the
                                    so working with regional
Compact has benefited us and
                                    structures also needs to
our service users. Where
                                    encompass a Compact way of
Compact guidance has not been
                                    working. The Southwest Regional
followed, we can develop a better
                                    Development Agency is just one
way of working and not repeat
                                    of the signatories to the regional
past mistakes.
                                    Compact, which can be viewed at:
Some work has already begun
                                    www.southwestforum.org.uk/
to ensure Compact compliance.
                                    index.php?content=com
The Enabling Commissioning
Programme for Bristol City


Issue 7 October / November 2009                                                              www.voscur.org   11
Sector News


   From the Ashes of the Crash
   Rebuilding the new economics — Saturday 17 October


   Schumacher                           people’s pursuit of profit, creating   including the Soil Association,

   Lectures 2009                        multinational companies and            Resurgence, and the New
                                        increasing specialisation results      Economics Foundation.
   Four and a half decades ago, the
                                        in gross economic inefficiency,
   green shoots of the environmental                                           The Bristol Schumacher lectures
                                        environmental pollution and
   movement emerged following                                                  celebrated their 30th anniversary
                                        inhumane working conditions.
   the publication of Rachel Carson’s                                          last year. One year on, in a global
                                        Schumacher proposed using
   book, Silent Spring, resulting in                                           recession, the theme of the
                                        localised labour and resources –
   the banning of the pesticide DDT.                                           conference is “From the Ashes of
                                        putting people and relationships
                                                                               the Crash”. This year the chosen
   Fritz Schumacher’s book, Small is    at the heart of what we do.
                                                                               conference partner is the New
   Beautiful: A Study of Economics
                                        After Schumacher’s death in            Economics Foundation.
   as if People Mattered (1971),
                                        1977, the Schumacher Society
   also had a profound impact on                                               For more information visit:
                                        was formed together with the
   environmentalists over a decade                                             www.schumacher.org.uk
                                        Schumacher Circle, an alliance
   later. The book explained that                                              Tel: 0117 903 1081
                                        of like-minded organisations




   Well Women Seeks Help
   The trustees of Well Women           Council and NHS Bristol to provide     looking to expand its activities into
   Information (WWI) are looking        services. In recent years WWI has      the field of women’s health.
   for one or more local voluntary      found it increasingly difficult to
                                                                               The current trustees of WWI
   organisations to take on             recruit volunteer management
                                                                               are keen to hear from
   its services.                        committee members. In spite of
                                                                               organisations that think that
                                        this the staff have continued to
   After more than 21 years                                                    they might fit the bill.
                                        give a high quality service and
   providing counselling, a drop-in
                                        the remaining trustees have done
   for health advice and information,
                                        their best to support them.
   a health project for Asian women
   and many other services, the West    At a recent special meeting of the
   Street based organisation is being   membership it was agreed that it
   wound up.                            would be best for service users,                 For details please
                                        staff and trustees to find another               phone Carly Wong,
   This is not due to lack of funds
                                        organisation to manage the                       Tel. 0117 941 2983 or
   but lack of trustees. WWI still
                                        services. This could be a fantastic    email carly@
   has funding from the Big Lottery
                                        opportunity for an organisation        wellwomeninformation.org.uk
   and contracts with the City


12 www.voscur.org                                                              October / November 2009         Issue 7
Member profile




This film season tackles a tough subject none of
us like to face, but sitting idly by and imagining it
isn’t happening is not an option.
Unchosen campaigns to raise           within Bristol have started to work
awareness of human
trafficking in Bristol through
                                      together. As part of Unchosen’s
                                      campaign, they have facilitated
                                                                            Film Listing
award-winning films, with             meetings between the Police,          All films have free admission.
talks by the Directors, live          Bristol City Council, University      Please visit www.unchosen.org.
performances and information.         of the West of England and the        uk for full details.
                                      voluntary and community sector,
Human Trafficking, which includes                                           Friday 6th November 2009, 7.30pm
                                      resulting in the forming of the
people being forced into the
country to work and be exploited
                                      first Bristol Active Communities      UK premier —
is the second largest illegal
                                      Against Trafficking (ACT) group,      Victoria Terminus
                                      which is based in Shirehampton.
industry worldwide, behind only                                             Friday 13th November 2009, 7.30pm
the arms trade.                       Trish Davidson
                                                                            La Forteresse
The five films being shown across     Tel: 0117 370 6417
                                                                            Friday 20th November 2009, 7.30pm
the four Fridays in November,         trish@unchosen.org.uk
include the UK premier of ‘Victoria   www.unchosen.org.uk                   Lillja4Ever
Terminus’, about the survival
                                                                            Friday 27th November 2009, 4.30pm
of street kids in Mumbai; ‘La
Forteresse’, which penetrates a                                             Ghosts
Swiss reception centre for asylum                                           (Post Film Talk by Nick
seekers; and ‘Ghosts’, made by                                              Broomfield)
world-renowned documentary
                                                                            Friday 27th November 2009, 7.30pm
maker Nick Broomfield following
the drowning of 23 Chinese cockle                                           Rough Aunties
pickers in Morecambe Bay in 2004.                                           (South West Premiere)

For the second year, film                                                   Venue:
director Nick Broomfield is the                                             Full Cinema Screen with
free festival’s patron and he will                                          stereo sound.
once again be giving a talk about
                                                                            St. Stephens Church,
his work.
                                                                            21 St. Stephens Street,
Since last year’s Film Festival,                                            Bristol BS1 1EQ
the anti-trafficking organisations

Issue 7 October / November 2009                                                                    www.voscur.org   13
Social Enterprise Day – 19 November 2009


   A celebration of social enterprise
   within Global Entrepreneurship Week


    “Global Entrepreneurship
                                          Make Your Mark running a national    How can you be
    Week is a shining example of
                                          enterprise challenge competition
                                                                               involved in Social
                                          for 14-19 year olds.
    Britain leading the world in                                               Enterprise Day?
    enterprise and innovation. At         In 2008, RISE, the regional
                                                                               Photo Competition
    this time of unprecedented            infrastructure organisation for
    global change, I congratulate         social enterprise in the South       There is a great opportunity for

    everyone involved in Global           West, organised a series of school   good, free marketing through

    Entrepreneurship Week for             events across the South West         entering the second social

    encouraging people and                and Stuart Griffin from Social       enterprise photo competition. In

    countries to work together            Enterprise Works delivered five      the South West this is being run

    to find new ways to succeed.”         workshops in Bristol schools to      by RISE.

                                          get the young people to explore      Take a photo that you think shows
    Gordon Brown,
                                          ideas for social enterprise.         how social enterprise is more
    Prime Minister,
                                          Stuart will be delivering three      than ‘business as usual.’ You’ll be
    November 2008
                                          workshops on Social Enterprise       expected to caption your photo
                                          Day, 19 November, to students at     so use that space to tell the story
   Global Entrepreneurship Week           Writhlington School in Radstock.     behind the image – the photo will
   (16-22 November 2009) is               We also hope to work with schools    be judged on how it looks, but
   a worldwide movement of                in Bristol during the week.          also on the story it tells. Email your
   entrepreneurial people, with           Writhlington School is a wonderful   photo to: photocompetition@
   millions turning their enterprising    example of school based social       socialenterprise.org.uk by
   talents and ideas into reality. Last   enterprise. The aim of their         19 October. Images must be hi-res
   year, there were 24,966 events         orchid project is for students to    (2MB or more). The winner for
   and activities run in 77 countries,    set up and manage international      South West England will then go
   attended by more than 3.06             conservation projects based          on to compete for the national
   million people (644,000 of which       around innovative enterprise and     prize for England, judged by the
   were in the UK).                       excellence in science, and they      Social Enterprise Ambassadors.

   That massive level of activity         really succeed. Over 60 students     At the time of writing (August)
   covers every aspect of                 are involved in the project,         meetings are being held with the
   entrepreneurship. In the UK            which supplies orchids to Kew        Regional Development Agency
   there has been a strong focus          Gardens and the Eden Project and     to develop the programme of
   on entrepreneurship and young          conservation projects in South       activities for Entrepreneurship
   people, with organisations such as     America and Asia.                    Week in Bristol so there will be lots


14 www.voscur.org                                                              October / November 2009       Issue 7
Social Enterprise Day – 19 November 2009




of opportunities to participate.       evidence clear social aims and          trading social enterprise, so it is
Social Enterprise Works will be        achievements, and whose profits         worth keeping an eye on these
holding free drop-in support           and assets were used to support         new developments.
surgeries during the week and the      those social aims and generate at
                                                                               Elaine Flint
Voscur Assembly held that week         least 50% of income from trading.
                                                                               Social Enterprise Works
will have a social enterprise theme.
                                       As a trading social enterprise
Visit our websites for more details:                                           Tel: 0117 907 0080
                                       ourselves, Social Enterprise Works
www.socialenterpriseworks.org
                                       has been awarded the Mark and
or www.voscur.org
                                       joins a number of other Mark
                                       holders in Bristol including SOFA,
Social Enterprise Mark                                                                  Social Enterprise Works
                                       Watershed, Bristol Community
The Social Enterprise Mark that                                                         provides support to new
                                       Transport and many more. The
was developed here in the South                                                         start and existing social
                                       new national Mark will have the
West will be going national on                                                 enterprises. Lots of resources and
                                       same criteria for full accreditation,
Social Enterprise Day. The Mark                                                tools for business development
                                       but may also have a second level
was developed for qualifying                                                   are available on our website.
                                       for organisations that are working
organisations which could                                                      www.socialenterpriseworks.org
                                       towards being a sustainable,




Issue 7 October / November 2009                                                                    www.voscur.org    15
Voscur Training and Learning


   Collaboration — should you do it?
   ‘…all charities should consider seriously and imaginatively whether there
   are ways in which they could do more and better for their users by
   working together.’
   The Charity Commission, ‘Collaborative Working and Mergers’ (2003)



   What is collaborative                  What are the potential                • Complexity in decision-making
   working?                               benefits and risks of                   and loss of autonomy

   The Collaborative Working Unit         collaboration?                        • Diverting energy and
                                                                                  resources away from core
   at The National Council for            Collaborative working is not
                                                                                  aims – mission drift
   Voluntary Organisations (NCVO)         right for every organisation.
                                                                                • Damage to or dilution of your
   defines collaborative working          Carefully identifying any issues of
                                                                                  brand and reputation
   as partnership between two or          concern will help to establish if
                                                                                • Damage to organisation
   more voluntary organisations.          collaboration is appropriate.
                                                                                  and waste of resources if
   Organisations can work together
                                          Benefits include:                       collaboration is unsuccessful
   in a spectrum of ways from
   informal networks, through joint       • New or improved services
                                                                                What areas do you need
   delivery of projects to full merger.   • Wider geographical reach or
                                                                                to consider?
                                            access to new beneficiary
   What forms does                          groups
                                                                                You should think through all the
   collaborative working take?            • Financial savings and better
                                                                                implications before you start
                                                                                working collaboratively. With
   • Separate organisations                 use of existing resources
                                                                                planning, you can manage the
     maintain their independence,         • Knowledge, good practice
                                                                                risks. Consideration of what is
     but work jointly on some               and information sharing
                                                                                best for your beneficiaries should
     activities or functions              • Sharing the risk in new and
                                                                                underlie all your thinking. Trustees
   • Organisations with resources or        untested projects
                                                                                must ensure their organisation
     expertise offer assistance to        • Stronger, united voice
                                                                                acts legally and that professional
     other organisations.                 • Better co-ordination of
                                                                                advice is taken where relevant.
   • A new organisation to work             organisations’ activities
     jointly on some activities or        • Mutual support between              Allow yourself enough time to
     functions                              organisations                       make an informed decision. It is
   • A group structure where a                                                  better to identify obstacles early
                                          Collaborative working should
     ‘parent’ organisation governs                                              and not to proceed, than invest in
                                          enable you better to meet
     a group of ‘subsidiary’                                                    a fruitless partnership venture.
                                          beneficiary need.
     organisations
   • Merger to form a new
                                          Risks include:
     organisation working as one
                                          • Outcomes do not justify the
     body on all activities
                                            time and resources invested


16 www.voscur.org                                                               October / November 2009       Issue 7
Voscur Training and Learning

Questions you should                  3. Do you both see your
consider                                 respective inputs and              Further advice
1. What are you hoping to
                                         outputs as fair?                   and support
                                      4. Do other organisations
   achieve through collaboration?                                                  Collaboration
                                         have experience of working
2. Are you sure that collaborative                                                 Support skills for
                                         with them?
   working is the best way to                                               development workers
   achieve this aim?
                                      Overcoming Obstacles                  Tuesday 6 October,
3. Who proposed the idea? Do
                                                                            Wednesday 7 October
   they have a vested interest?       If you decide you want to go
4. Do your Trustees and Chief         ahead, there may still be obstacles   Barton Hill Settlement,
   Executive support the idea?        in the way to a successful            43 Ducie Road, Bristol BS5 0AR
5. Does it fit within your            collaboration. These include:         Tel: 0117 955 6971 or email:
   organisation’s charitable          personalities; competition            garyb@bartonhillsettlement.
   objects as stated in your          between partners; lack of             org.uk
   governing document?                information and experience;
6. Do your plans for                  lack of resources, especially                   The National Council
   collaborative working fit          at decision-making stage and                    for Voluntary
   your strategic vision, values      resistance to change. You can                   Organisations
   and current priorities?            overcome these obstacles by           Tel: 0800 2798 798
                                      ensuring there are:
                                                                            www.ncvo-vol.org.uk/
How will the working
                                      • Good personal relationships         collaborate
relationship work?
                                      • Compatible cultures or an
                                                                            www.askncvo.org.uk
You may have in mind a potential        understanding of different
partner that you already know and       cultures                            Charity Commission
trust. However, it is important to    • Written agreements                  contact centre
compare organisational culture        • Experience of change
                                                                            Tel: 0870 333 0123
and working practices. You              management, leadership
will also need to consider your         and vision                          Email: enquiries@
organisation’s culture, financial     • Resources                           charitycommission.gsi.gov.uk
management, public relations and      • Clear and agreed mutual             www.charitycommission.gov.uk
what effect collaboration will have     benefits
on your public profile and the        • A focus on the big picture          Information in this article is taken
                                                                            from National Council for Voluntary
staff you need.                       • Careful planning                    Organisation’s Collaborative
                                                                            Working Unit.
                                      • ICT tools
Consider these questions
                                      Finally don’t do this alone, speak
1. How might formal
                                      to others who have done it, get
   collaboration change an
                                      legal advice when needed and
   existing relationship with
                                      get in contact with NCVO for
   your partner?
                                      further support.
2. Do you have clear, shared
   aims for the collaboration?




Issue 7 October / November 2009                                                                   www.voscur.org   17
Voscur Training and Learning


   Welcome to Voscur Learning
   This term we have lots of new courses and events; some free and some low cost as well as a new early
   bird scheme to help you pay for our courses. The early bird scheme means that full members get 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)

   Voscur recognises that you may need courses tailored for your organisation. We can run in house courses on
   many topics. Contact Sophie Bayley on 0117 909 9949.




   Recruitment	of	Volunteers	 	New	                          session covers governance, skills of trustees, risk and
                                                             liabilities and effective meetings.
   Thursday	1	October	2009	(9.30am	-	3.30pm)
   Black Development Agency,                                 Single	Equalities	Bill	 	New		
   Russell Town Avenue, Redfield, Bristol BS5 9LT
                                                             Wednesday	14	October	(10am	-	1pm)
   This session is for people who manage volunteers
                                                             This session will cover basics of the new Single
   and would like to know more about effective
                                                             Equalities Bill and will give you a chance to consider
   recruitment. It will cover volunteer motivation;
                                                             how the duties for public sector bodies impact on
   barriers to volunteering; recruitment techniques
                                                             your organisation and your users. There will be tasks
   and processes; developing adverts for volunteer
                                                             and exercises that you can take back and use within
   roles and action planning.
                                                             your own settings in terms of best practice.

   Trustee	Series	1	–	Why	am	I	on		
                                                             CWDC	(Children’s	Workforce	
   the	committee?
                                                             Development	Council)		
   Tuesday	6	October	2009	(10am	-	1pm)                       Common	Induction:	Generic		
   The Federation of City Farms, The GreenHouse,             Multi-Agency	Training	
   Hereford St, Bristol BS3 4NA                              19	&	20	October	and	10	&	11	November	
   This course will give anyone who has the role of a        2009,	dates	and	venue	to	be	confirmed.
   trustee a basic overview of their legal duties and        This is for practitioners in the Children’s Workforce,
   responsibilities and is ideal if you have just become a   working at NVQ Levels 3 & 4. It will cover principles,
   trustee or just want to brush up on your skills.          values and legislation; understanding Children
                                                             and Young People’s (CYP) development; building
   Trustee	Series	2	–	Good	Governance	–	
                                                             relationships and communicating with CYP and
   How	to	be	a	better	Trustee.
                                                             keeping CYP safe from harm. This is a pilot run by
   Tuesday	13	October	2009	(10am	-	1pm)                      Bristol City Council. Four grants are available from
   The Federation of City Farms, The GreenHouse,             Voscur for the cost of supply cover, contact Emma
   Hereford St, Bristol BS3 4NA                              Rice: emma@voscur.org for details. To book a place
   This session complements ‘Why am I on the                 contact Julie Upson, email:
   committee?’ and looks in greater detail at how            Julie.upson@bristol.gov.uk
   Trustees can be more effective in their role. The


18 www.voscur.org                                                                 October / November 2009       Issue 7
Voscur Training and Learning

Retention	and	Support	of			                               and methods of Full Cost Recovery, to ensure that
Volunteers	 	New	(Full)                                   your funding applications take account of how new
                                                          projects impact on your existing services.
Tuesday	20	October	2009	(9.30am	-	3.30pm)
For people who manage volunteers and would like to
                                                          Working	Together	–	Child	Protection	
know more about how to support and retain them.
                                                          Level	One	Training
This session will cover the importance of: induction;     Monday	23	November	2009	(9.30am	–	4pm)
other ways of supporting volunteers; supervision;         The Greenway Centre, Doncaster Road,
why people stop volunteering; recognition and action      Southmead, Bristol BS10
planning. To add your name to the waiting list please
                                                          This is for anyone who has frontline responsibility
email: lucy@voscur.org
                                                          for the protection and safeguarding of children and
                                                          particularly for anyone working with young people.
Improving	Diversity	in	your		
                                                          It will cover definitions, signs and symptoms of
Volunteer	Workforce	 	New	
                                                          abuse, multi-agency child protection procedures and
Wednesday	11	November	2009		                              guidelines and how to make a referral to social care.
(9.30am	-	3.30pm)
The Park Centre, Daventry Road, Knowle,                   Monitoring	and	evaluation	–	an	
Bristol BS4 1QD                                           introduction	 	New	
For people who manage volunteers and would like           Wednesday	25	November	2009		
to diversify their volunteer workforce. It will cover     (9.30am	-	3.30pm)
equalities and socially excluded communities; looking     @ Symes Community Building, Peterson Avenue,
at who you are reaching; equalities Communities in        Hartcliffe, Bristol BS13 0BE
Bristol; legislation supporting equalities volunteers
                                                          This new training will help you understand monitoring
and the benefits of a diverse team.
                                                          and evaluation (M&E). It is for people who are quite
                                                          new to M&E and who want to know about outcomes
Supporting	your	Volunteer		
                                                          and indicators, ways of collecting information, the
Board	 	New	
                                                          questions you need to ask and how to use the data.
Tuesday	17	November	2009	(9.30am	-	1pm)
Black Development Agency, Russell Town                    Data	Protection	&	Confidentiality	 	New	
Avenue, Redfield, Bristol BS5 9LT                         Thursday	26	November	2009	
This is for chief executives or managers who would        (6.00pm	-	8.00pm)
like to support their volunteer board more effectively.
                                                          Burges Salmon LLP, Narrow Quay House,
This session will cover roles and responsibilities of
                                                          Narrow Quay, Bristol BS1 4AH
trustees; the management / governance split; skills
                                                          This session, run by Burges Salmon Solicitors, will
audits for board and other support; how you can
                                                          consist of a run through of the Data Protection Act
retain your board and how to improve meetings.
                                                          and the law of confidentiality considering practical

Full	Cost	Recovery                                        applications for organisations.

Wednesday	18	November	(9.30am	-	3.30pm)                           If you want to book onto any of our events
Barton Hill Settlement, Ducie Road, Barton Hill,                  or training then go to www.voscur.org
Bristol BS5 0AX                                                   where you will find more information, or call
This course will give you an introduction to the theory   us on 0117 909 9949.


Issue 7 October / November 2009                                                                  www.voscur.org   19
Have Your Say - Vox Pops


   Creative Ideas for Empty Shops
   As the recession bites, neighbourhoods are suffering from empty shop units. Bristol is one of 57 cities
   to receive more than £50,000 from the government to help areas hit hardest by the recession find
   creative ways to reduce the negative impact empty shops are having on the high street.

   We asked Voscur members what they think this money should be used for, and whether they think that the
   voluntary and community sector could make good use of empty shop units in Bristol.


                      “I would                             “We’re                              “Church Road
                      strongly advise                      fortunate in                        in Lawrence
                      that retail                          Hartcliffe and                      Hill has had
                      outlets be                           Withywood as                        many empty
                      made available                       we’ve had the                       shop units that
    for the community to use for         Symes Avenue shops boosted           have been taken over by local
    any kind of activity but make        but there are smaller shops in       Somali people. Empty shop
    it easier for them to use. Red       the area that could probably         units could be really good for
    tape is a barrier – try and cut      do with support to get more          new local business starts ups.
    down on the red tape through         custom to their area. In St          Organisations like Bristol East
    the council and make access          Paul’s (where I work) there are      Side Traders could help to get
    (to empty shops) a bit better.       quite a few shop units that are      empty shops filled again.”
    In Brislington it would be really    not being used and a massive
    nice to see shops used to            building – Westmorland House       Dave Hobson,
    display some local artwork           that is derelict, that people
                                                                            Barton Hill Settlement
    and also as a showcase for           have been trying to get
    what’s actually available to         developed for several years.
    the community.”
                                         The use of some of these
                                         empty shops for studios and
   Liz Venn,                             to promote art has been
   Brislington Neighbourhood             favoured within St Paul’s
   Partnership                           community. I think also giving
                                         new small businesses the
                                         opportunity to use empty
                                         units on a temporary basis to
                                         see if the business that they
                                         wanted to get going would
                                         actually work, would be a
                                         really good idea. It would be
                                         great to support projects
                                         helping young people with
                                         small business.”


                                        Tracy Edwards Brown,
                                        Hartcliffe and Withywood
                                        Community Partnership

20 www.voscur.org                                                            October / November 2009     Issue 7
Voscur’s Website Working for You


Promote and Recruit
via the Voscur website

Jobs Page                             opportunities. We have recruited      On-Line Diary
                                      a number of people via the
Voscur job ads “effectively reach                                           Add your event to our on-line
                                      Voscur website and would highly
skilled local people actively                                               diary www.voscur.org/event
                                      recommend it!”
looking for new opportunities”
                                      Bridget Gillespie, Bristol            Noticeboard
Recruiting or looking for a job –     Drugs Project
                                                                            Advertise on our noticeboard
look no further than the Voscur
                                                                            www.voscur.org/view/
website – here’s what some of         “The system is quick and easy to
                                                                            classified-ads
our advertisers say:                  use and we have had a lot of good
                                      and relevant applications thanks to
“For recruitment advertising
                                                                            Ebulletin
                                      the Voscur website. The staff are
Circomedia have used Voscur on        always helpful.”                      Keep in touch with the latest
a couple of occasions and have                                              news, publicise your own event,
                                      Terry Jones, Survive
been delighted with the service.                                            meeting or announcement via
For the last vacancies we had a       “I have used Voscur’s online          the Voscur ebulletin.
huge response and the standard        job advertising service on
                                                                            To subscribe to the Voscur
of applicants was very high. We       two occasions. I found it very
                                                                            e-bulletin visit:
would definitely use Voscur again.”   easy to use and the inputting
                                                                            www.voscur.org/ebulletin
William Pritchard, Circomedia         of information was very
                                      straightforward. It is a very quick   To submit your news, email 75
“The application process to           way to advertise a job to a wide      words, including contact details
advertise with Voscur is extremely    range of people and is good           to: stephanie@voscur.org
easy and the staff at Voscur are      value for money for member
always helpful. The response to       organisations.”
an advert on the site is always       Lynn, St Werburghs City Farm
positive and the site itself is
easily accessible.”                   Our jobs pages get over 138,000
Lyn Campbell, Single Parent           views a year. Jobs are added on a
Action Network (SPAN)                 daily basis; you won’t believe how
                                                                                     Please contact Polly
                                      little it costs to advertise your
                                                                                     Stewart to discuss how
“We regularly advertise with          job, especially if you are a Voscur
                                                                                     your organisation can
Voscur as its easy to use,            member. To find out more go to
                                                                            make the most of Voscur’s
affordable and most importantly,      www.voscur.org/view/jobs
                                                                            website: 0117 909 9949 or
effectively reaches skilled local
                                                                            email: polly@voscur.org
people actively looking for new


Issue 7 October / November 2009                                                                 www.voscur.org   21
Equalities


   Social Class — An Equality Strand?
   Socio-economic duty
   Is social class likely to become an
   equality strand? The Government
   is introducing a Duty on public
   service providers to take in to
   account social mobility when
   planning and developing services.
   Social class is an issue that
                                         the delivery of public services        or employment are far more likely
   most of us tend to have strong
                                         such as education and health,          to go to prison, each one costing
   opinions about; it often causes
                                         and the immediate impact of            between £15,000 and £50,000 per
   passionate debate and is an
                                         the economic downturn can              year for each prison place.
   aspect on which individuals get
                                         negatively affect the life chances
   judged, stereotyped, and have                                                Allowing public bodies like health
                                         of individuals.
   assumptions made about them.                                                 authorities to take into account
   It is a major cause of disadvantage   Considering socio-economic             deprivation in their area will
   and discrimination. Here is the       disadvantage will be important in      help them properly tackle issues
   Equality and Human Rights             driving social mobility. Educational   such as preventing heart disease
   Commission’s (EHRC) response to       success is the most important          and obesity-related illnesses,
   the social economic duty outlined     contributor to life chances.           potentially saving the NHS money
   in the Single Equality Bill.                                                 in the long term.
                                           According to research released
   ‘We welcome the government’s                                                 The Commission’s role will be
                                           by the Government’s Social
   decision to require public                                                   to use the legislation and
                                           Mobility Commission research,
   authorities to consider socio-                                               powers currently available, such
                                           three-quarters of judges
   economic disadvantage in                                                     as the public duties and the
                                           and 70% of finance directors
   the planning and monitoring                                                  Human Rights Act, in order to
                                           were independently schooled,
   of the services they provide.                                                create social change. It will
                                           as were 45% of senior civil
   The Commission was an early                                                  assess the impact of particular
                                           servants and 32% of MPs. At
   supporter of this provision                                                  forms of disadvantage
                                           the other end of society 85%
   because we believe to ignore                                                 through using a consistent
                                           of white boys from low
   socio-economic disadvantage                                                  measurement framework.
                                           socio-economic groups do
   means you ignore some of the
                                           not get five decent GCSEs.
   most deep-rooted discrimination                                                       For more information on
   in the UK’.                                                                           the EHRC’s response to
                                         Failing to tackle the root causes               the Bill in relation to the
   Socio-economic disadvantage
                                         of this inequality early on in life    Equality strands please see:
   is one of the many complex
                                         could cost the taxpayer more in        www.equalityhumanrights.com/
   structural causes of discrimination
                                         the long term, for example, young      legislative-framework/equality-
   and inequality. Factors such as
                                         people who aren’t in education         bill/summary-of-our-response
   changes in the labour market,


22 www.voscur.org                                                               October / November 2009          Issue 7
Equalities


Different+equal
The University of the West of           The different types of EIAs you will   previously the impact may have
England (UWE) has produced              need to think about are:               been negative.
an easy-to-use tool to help you
                                        Adverse impact: assessing if           You can use the tool (which
carry out equalities impact
                                        decisions or services although         is produced as a set of cards
assessments (EIA) on your work
                                        seemingly benefiting a range of        with a series of questions to
and services.
                                        groups, might cause a specific         work through) with your board
We tend to think of EIAs as a           group to experience an unequal or      members, or staff team.
remit for statutory services, but       negative impact
it is good practice for voluntary
                                        Differential impact: assessing how              For more information
groups to think about the impact
                                        different groups might experience               and a pack of the cards
of changes, particularly in this
                                        your service, even though it may                please contact: Angelina
economic climate when changes
                                        not cause any negative impacts         Carrozza, Equality and Diversity
could have severe effects on
                                                                               Manager, Human Resources,
individuals and communities who         Positive impact: assessing if, or
                                                                               UWE Bristol. Email:
use our services.                       how, changes in decisions or
                                                                               angeline.carrozza@uwe.ac.uk
                                        services might impact positively
                                                                               Tel: 0117 328 1641
                                        on a specific group where




Bristol Equalities Network
13 October, 2009, 1pm – 3.30pm, The St Werburghs Centre, Horley Road, St Werburghs, Bristol BS2 9JT

The next Equalities Network             agreeing a proposal that can be        attend to discuss the council’s
will focus on Equalities and            taken to the Bristol Partnership       current strategy on community
the Bristol Partnership, and            Executive, drawn up from wider         cohesion in Bristol.
community cohesion.                     consultation and subsequent
                                                                               Lunch is provided but you will
                                        working group meetings.
A series of meetings have taken                                                need to book.
place this year to discuss Equalities   The process of equalities
                                                                               To book your place please visit:
representation on the Bristol           representation on the Bristol
                                                                               www.voscur.org
Partnership. The process has been       Partnership will be discussed at
slower than expected; many of           the next network meeting and
those involved in trying to move        participants will be updated                    For more information
the process forward are doing so        on the current situation. The                   please contact
with limited capacity.                  Equalities Network will be held on              Ruth Pitter on
                                        13 October, from 1pm to 3.30pm.        ruth@voscur.org or
Discussions have been moving
                                                                               emma@voscur.org
on with Linda Prosser, the Bristol      Jon House, Deputy Chief Executive
                                                                               Tel: 0117 909 9949
Partnership Director, about             of Bristol City Council will also


Issue 7 October / November 2009                                                                   www.voscur.org   23
Have Your Say


   Power to the people?
   Council proposals for devolving more decision making to neighbourhoods were unveiled at the
   September meeting of the Neighbourhood Partnership Residents Forum (see Voscur quick guide
   insert to the proposals in this issue of Thrive! or online at www.voscur.org). We asked residents from
   community and voluntary organisations across Bristol who attended the meeting for their instant
   reaction to the proposals.




                      “I think that          equalities and how they are going                        “Most of it was
                      giving more say        to ensure that the equalities                            stuff that I’ve
                      over how money         groups are represented on                                expected but
                      is spent to more       these different forums and                               we’ve been
                      people is              partnerships. I think you’re going                       asking ‘can you
   generally a good idea.                    to have to be very careful that        please write this down’ so it’s
   I fear that the amounts of money          it isn’t just tokenistic. There is a   quite nice to see some of it
   are fairly small, that decisions may      history of local people saying ‘oh     written down. In that sense I feel
   end up being fairly small and that        that doesn’t affect me, I don’t        buoyed up slightly. It’s good, a
   people may end up feeling that            need to be involved – other            good step forward.”
   they still haven’t got the clout          people will do that’ and there
                                                                                    Ben Barker, Greater Bedminster
   that they would like to have. I also      being an elite few that will end
                                                                                    Community Partnership
   feel that the big, big challenge          up doing the actual work. I think
   is to get ‘the man in the street’         NP need to develop a much more
   to want to be involved in their           public face, be more open to                             “It feels like
   local neighbourhood.”                     the community as a whole. I just                         we’ve been here
                                             think it’s a massive undertaking,                        before. What I
   Ches Chesney, Old Market
                                             understand it will take a long time                      wanted to hear
   Community Association
                                             to roll out. Whether it will work or                     was how much
                                             not remains to be seen.”               money each neighbourhood has
                      “On the one                                                   been allocated, but that didn’t
                                             Gabbi, Hartcliffe and Withywood
                      hand what I have                                              come out of the meeting and
                                             Community Partnership
                      heard and                                                     we’ve been told it won’t be
                      understood in                                                 decided until next February. It’s
                      principle I think is                                          interesting that we’re having so
   brilliant, in practice I’m very                                                  many neighbourhoods and so
   sceptical. I think if the community                                              many people are complaining
   actually gets behind this I think it                                             about how large some of these
   could work but there is a lot of                                                 neighbourhoods are. I do think
   ironing out to do. My major                                                      that more people need to be
   concern is where they put                                                        more involved on a lower level.




24 www.voscur.org                                                                   October / November 2009        Issue 7
Have Your Say




It’s coming, it’s been dictated                          “It made me                              “Trying things
by the council, that’s what it                           think about the                          out, evolving,
feels like.”                                             funding of the                           learning that
                                                         Neighbourhood                            kind of thing, I
Lisa Blackwood,
                                                         Partnerships and                         really like the
St Pauls Unlimited
                                      the structure of them and it made       approach. The detailed stuff that
                                      me realise how they’ve developed        people were asking about , people
                  “There is still     differently across Bristol. I do feel   always ask those questions at this
                  quite a lot of      that the present council is very        stage don’t they, that will
                  work to do in       committed to listening to local         hopefully be in place eventually
                  terms of            communities and as far as possible      and is going to be a lot of work to
                  developing a        putting their views into practice.”     do, a lot of cultural change for
structure that’s not necessarily                                              people, a lot of business planning
                                      Anne Green, Sea Mills Community
the same across the city but a                                                but it’s still quite exciting.”
                                      Association (SCAF)
structure that is more workable
                                                                              Fran Stewart, St George
than what we’ve got at the
                                                                              Neighbourhood Partnership
moment. I felt quite strongly that                       “I think it’s a
although it’s good, for example, in                      great idea
Shirehampton we’ve got SCAF                              providing
which is a good structure and                            enough funds
we’ve got very good workers, it                          are put aside to
seems that the ordinary resident      enable each ward to operate with                 Find out more
that doesn’t belong to a particular   their councillors, to keep the
                                                                                       To find out more
group is pushed out and we want       bureaucracy down and to get the
                                                                              about the council’s plans for
to find some ways of rectifying       action going.”
                                                                              Neighbourhood Partnerships
that. It’s only the beginning and
                                      Martin Graham, Lockleaze Voice          and Neighbourhood Committees
I’m hoping that there’s going to
                                                                              and how you can have your
be more really because there is an
                                                                              say visit www.voscur.org/
awful long way to go.”
                                                                              brispartnership/np or call
Val Jenkins, Shirehampton                                                     Matthew Symonds at Voscur on
Community Action Forum                                                        (0117) 909 9949



Issue 7 October / November 2009                                                                    www.voscur.org    25
Thrive Oct Nov 09
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Thrive Oct Nov 09

  • 1. Supporting Voluntary & Community Action October & November 2009 Inside Voscur’s Magazine Hitting the Headlines – Voscur’s Annual Event Voscur Awards – last chance to nominate Safeguarding the Sector Twenty’s Plenty Social Enterprise Day Intelligent Commissioning Funding Opportunities Social Class – an equality strand? Power to the People? Image: Circomedia – André Pattendon Charity Law Updates Training and Learning “For the last vacancies we had a huge response and the standard of applicants was very high. We would definitely use Voscur again.” Circomedia recommend Voscur’s Website Jobs Page
  • 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 22-23 Equalities Social Class – an equality strand? 5 Voscur Annual Event Different and Equal 6 Voscur and Sector News 24-25 Have Your Say — Power to the People? New Chair for Voscur Bristol Rape Crisis 26-27 Children and Young People Take a Stand Gathering Voices Voscur Children and Young People’s 9 Recession Support Network Safeguarding the Sector 28-29 How To — Funding 10-11 Compact News Funders’ Fair 2009 Intelligent Commissioning Web-based Funding Resources Compact Newsletter 30-31 How To — Green pages 12 Sector News Green Maps Schumacher Lectures Twenty’s Plenty Well Women 32-33 Duty to Involve 13 Member Profile Vital Role for Sector Unchosen 34 Volunteering Bristol 14-15 Social Enterprise Week Opportunities to Volunteer 16-19 Voscur Training and Learning 35 Constitution Corner Collaborative Working Charitable Companies – keeping up Voscur Learning to date with the Law 20 Vox Pops 36 Diary Creative ways to reduce the negative impact of empty shops on the high street 21 Voscur’s Website Working for You Promote and Recruit via the Voscur website 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 December/January edition of Thrive!: Monday 2 November for ads and Tuesday 24 November this way. The newsletter is also available online for flyers. Details of prices at www.voscur.org/magazine as a pdf at www.voscur.org/magazine or 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 7 October / November 2009 www.voscur.org 3
  • 4. Editorial Dear Voscur member/supporter We are constantly evaluating The Regeneration Partnership our work, and are reluctant recognised the importance to yet again ask our members of community involvement in what you think of our services, decision-making and for the first but we want to make sure that seven years of Voscur’s life SRB when we make an offer to the funding supported Voscur’s work. Council to deliver infrastructure When that funding ended in services, we have our members 2002, Bristol City Council behind us. acknowledged our value by Next year, Bristol City Council granting us a three-year service intends to commission services level agreement. This gave some Wendy Stephenson such as those delivered by Voscur. stability and enabled us to apply Voscur has been part of a group for other funding. Members of local infrastructure providers began to ask us to provide think we should be doing? Please that has worked with the Council support such as information visit: www.survey.bris.ac.uk/ to produce a survey, which aims and funding advice and in 2001 voscur/member2009 to find out the support needs of we registered as a Council I look forward to seeing you at voluntary and community sector for Voluntary Service. When our Annual General Meeting and organisations in Bristol. Using Bristol’s voluntary sector training Conference on Wednesday the results of that survey, and organisation folded, groups asked 21 October. See page 5 for details. feedback from discussion groups us to deliver training, which is now and interviews, a Council project much valued by the sector. Wendy Stephenson, group will design a commissioning Chief Executive, Voscur Changes within the Council have framework. This will describe how meant that since 2005, Voscur has the Council will (or won’t) buy had one-year funding agreements services like Voscur’s in the future. (as have many of our member Voscur was set up by groups) with the City Council. community activists who We hope that commissioning will Key to symbols got together and formed mean that short-term funding the Voluntary Organisations arrangements will end and we will Equalities Article Standing Conference on Urban once again have some stability. Regeneration (VOSCUR) because So, we are sorry to have to ask Training communities in Bristol didn’t you – we know you are probably have a voice on the Bristol surveyed out – please complete Regeneration Partnership, Resources our membership survey and tell us which had been set up to what you think of us, what could manage the Single Regeneration we do differently – or are there Event Budget (SRB), a government- things that we don’t do that you funding programme. 4 www.voscur.org October / November 2009 Issue 7
  • 5. Hitting the Headlines Voscur Conference & AGM Wednesday 21 October 2009, 9.30am – 2.30pm St Paul’s Community Sports Academy, Newfoundland Road, Bristol, BS2 5NH Voscur is pleased to welcome Councillor Barbara Janke, Leader of the Council, to present this year’s Voscurs. Don’t forget to make your nomination for the Voscurs at www.voscur.org/voscurs2009 We’ve got some great Bristolian prizes from local supporters for our Voscur winners, including a balloon ride and a year’s subscription to our local listings magazine, Venue Debra Allcock-Tyler, the Chief Executive of the Directory of Social Change, and an inspiring and challenging speaker, will open the event and give the keynote speech. We are mining the wealth of expertise within our membership who will lead discussions on managing the media, getting a difficult message across, using new social media and hitting the headlines. Our media panel includes: Angela Frain, News Editor, BBC Radio Bristol; Richard Coulter, Deputy Editor, Evening Post; Phil Gibbons, Director, Bristol Community FM and Stacy Yelland, Community at Heart. We know, though, that whatever we prepare for the day, the most valuable part will be the contributions that you bring and the networking and meeting up with contacts and friends old and new. To book please visit: www.voscur.org, email: polly@voscur.org or tel: 0117 909 9949. Issue 7 October / November 2009 www.voscur.org 5
  • 6. Voscur and Sector News New Chair for Voscur Voscur is independent charity, a limited proposed as chair because of her pleased to company and a key force for leadership skills and experience. announce that community development in Wendy Stephenson, Voscur’s its new chair is East Bristol. chief executive said, “It’s Joanna Holmes. Joanna said “I see my role as great to have a chair from an At its meeting helping the Board work as a organisation so firmly rooted in on 20 July 2009, Voscur’s team, and I anticipate that a key the community. I look forward to board formally elected element of the work will be to working with Joanna”. Joanna as chair, following the support Voscur’s chief executive resignation of Red Cottam, The Board formally thanked Red, in her work.” Joanna hoped that who has left the sector to and wished her good luck for the Board would share other pursue other interests. the future. responsibilities, which may have Joanna Holmes is chief executive historically been seen those of of Barton Hill Settlement, a community resource centre for the chair. Take a Stand Tara Mistry, Voscur’s co vice- Barton Hill and the surrounding Life Cycle provides free cycle chair said that Joanna had been area. The Settlement is an parking under our Take a Stand scheme. Voluntary Bristol Rape Crisis sector groups, schools, small businesses, surgeries, in fact almost any type of organisation, are welcome As a result of a local campaign, Sunday afternoons, which will to apply. Bristol City Council prioritised be extended by the New Year. Cycle parking enables your sexual violence against women Women who use the service staff or visitors to travel by in its Area Plan, enabling them are supported by trained, bike. It also tells the world to fund a Rape Crisis Centre. sympathetic female volunteers that you welcome cyclists. The newly launched Bristol Rape who understand about sexual Organisations based in Bristol Crisis provides a specialist support violence and its impact on or in South Gloucestershire are service for women and girls in women’s lives. eligible for up to four stands Bristol who have experienced free of charge. any form of sexual violence at For details and to apply please any point in their lives; this download the Bristol and includes rape, sexual assault, Helpline: 0117 929 8868 South Glos application form sexual abuse, stalking and any from our website: form of sexual intimidation. Contact: Vanessa Powell www.lifecycleuk.org.uk or Tel: 0117 929 956 call us on 0117 353 4580 for They currently offer a Email: vanessapowell@ more information. help-line service twice a week bristolrapecrisis.org.uk on Wednesday evenings and 6 www.voscur.org October / November 2009 Issue 7
  • 7. New Voscur members Who’s joined Voscur recently? Addiction road rides around Bristol. The aim centre. They are always looking Recovery Agency is to promote cycling as a positive for more volunteers and are and enjoyable experience. run by a volunteer The Addiction Recovery Agency management committee. (ARA) provides treatment to To find out more Tel: thousands of people experiencing 07783 475680 To find out more visit: problems because of drug and www.communityatheart.co.uk alcohol misuse and dependency. Integrate Bristol Tel: 0117 353 3995 With 80 staff and 20 volunteers Works with refugees, immigrants ARA is now one of the largest and minority ethnic groups in Calling the Shots (CTS) voluntary organisations in the and around Bristol. Their work Films Ltd South West. includes: being a resource for An award-winning production young people up to the age of company based in Bristol. To find out more visit: 21 through advice, assistance Established in 1998, CTS delivers www.addictionrecovery.org.uk and organising a programme broadcast, digital video and Tel: 0117 930 0282 of physical, educational and multiplatform projects for TV, Special Friends Club other activities. corporate clients and education providers. CTS have a strong Run by parent volunteers, it To find out more Tel: track record in talent provides support to families who 0117 963 8173 development, documentary have children with disabilities and special needs via a Holiday Circus Maniacs School and factual programmes. Activities Club. Members have of Circus Arts To find out more visit: opportunities to join an activity Founded in 1995, Circus Maniacs www.callingtheshots.co.uk or outing every week during is an independent circus training Tel: 0117 930 0140 the school holidays throughout school operating as a not-for- the year. profit company. The school The Learning Curve promotes education and health by Delivers training within the South To find out more visit: encouraging involvement in the West. It aims to be a centre of www.specialfriendsclub.org.uk arts including, circus, acrobatics, excellence in supporting individual Tel: 07982 719839 drama, mime, dance, singing, and organisational development Bristol Super Rider music, visual arts and multimedia. in the voluntary and community (BSR Cycling Club) To find out more visit: sector and in widening access for all communities. Provides a cycling service to www.circusmaniacs.com people of all ages. Supports Tel: 0117 947 7042 To find out more visit: national charitable rides and also www.learningcurve.org.uk has sponsored rides to support Bristol Somali Tel: 01225 792500 local charities. They have Fun Days Resource Centre for families and young people and Somali residents work also organise on-road and off- together in the running of the Issue 7 October / November 2009 www.voscur.org 7
  • 8. Recession Support Safeguarding the Sector Local picture There are more demands on the City of Bristol College can offer sector to demonstrate its distinct learning opportunities for staff Voscur has been visiting value, its efficiency and value being made redundant, and community groups in Bristol to for money, to assess outcomes human resources support. Social find out their support needs. This and outputs, and the quality and Enterprise Works can offer one has been an eye opener to the real quantity of services. There is off sessions on business advice effects of the economic climate pressure to improve performance and business planning, the on our communities. Many groups and no room for complacency. Ethical Property Foundation can share the challenges of reduced support groups with property working hours and funding cuts. With many organisations in the health checks. This has tightened the focus sector facing the effects of around what groups can offer, the recession – even big names For further information about and often means that staff and such as Shelter and the NSPCC what Voscur and other Bristol volunteers are being stretched. are making job cuts – it is vital groups and organisations can There are groups teetering on that third sector organisations offer please see our recession the edge of collapse in this understand their legal obligations support page: www.voscur.org/ current climate, and some have if forced to downsize. Despite recessionsupport or contact Ruth not survived. As organisations the Government’s announcement Pitter at Voscur: 0117 909 9949. disappear the hard work invested of a £40m bailout for charities to build services is being hacked earlier this year, many will face Top tips away; retrieving what is being lost making redundancies over the Think one step ahead and plan will be at an enormous cost. It is coming months. strategies for safeguarding your within this context that working organisation. Here are some together is vital. What help is available? quick tips: There is help available – the • Ensure you are clear about A firmer sense of number one rule is to seek which of your organisation’s purpose support before it’s too late. activities contribute most to The recession has instilled a firmer Voscur, with support from the your mission. If you have to sense of purpose for many groups Bristol Partnership recession defer or cut activity you will whose services are a lifeline mitigation fund and Quartet have a clear basis for doing so. for individuals across the city. Community Foundation, can • Ensure your services are Many community groups have offer help to groups that are meeting your members’ needs. hopes to expand and develop struggling, or groups working • Analyse the demand for your their services and it is important with individuals and communities services – bear in mind that the to think more creatively about through the recession. Support on recession may put a different sharing resources to achieve this. offer includes advice on funding slant on demand. Voscur is encouraging groups to and commissioning, collaboration • Act quickly and decisively – think about collaboration with and merger, governance support, good information systems similar groups to strengthen their ICT, and free training places. are important alongside services and broaden their vision In addition there are other strong governance. for the future. organisations that can help. 8 www.voscur.org October / November 2009 Issue 7
  • 9. Recession Support • Consider ways to reduce costs National picture On the positive side, more – back office suppliers and charities are now using the Charity Times reported in July bulk buying. recession as a management 2009 that research shows that • Diversify your income opportunity, with 78% of more charities are feeling the stream and consider mergers respondents taking action as a effects of the recession, and that and collaboration. result of the recession, up from 56% of charities expect a decline • Communicate with all 71% in November 08. in their income. stakeholders and remember this But there has been little change includes staff and members. The Charity Finance Directors’ in the number of respondents • Retain and motivate your best Group, the Institute of Fundraising who felt they had adequate staff – try not to cut your and PricewaterhouseCoopers financial planning systems in training budget. research highlights that 80% of place. In particular, only 56% of • Be realistic and optimistic charities are expecting income to respondents (a 1% drop from about the increased demand remain flat or to decline. November 08) felt they had on your services. Charities have seen a greater than adequate cash flow monitoring www.nicva.org/index. expected decline in almost every systems in place. cfm/section/General/ income stream. The exceptions are 20% are still expecting to see cuts key/260309-Recession- statutory income, where 83% of in services, despite the fact that Toolkit respondents indicated no change, 36% expect to see an increase in www.recessionsupport.org.uk/ although some 70% expect a demand for their services. main/index.php decline or no change. Issue 7 October / November 2009 www.voscur.org 9
  • 10. The Compact Promoting the Good and Challenging the Bad Louise Clark, Compact Liaison Officer In my role as Compact Liaison Officer, I am meeting commissioners (people who are designing and buying services) and providers (organisations that can offer services) to explain my work programme and to make links with Compact partners. A number of issues have already Eight Principles of Intelligent particularly those working with been raised, which show me the Commissioning: hard-to-reach groups. need to promote the good and 6. Ensuring contracting processes 1. Understanding the needs of to challenge bad practice, helping are transparent and fair, users and other communities us all to work in a Compact facilitating the involvement by ensuring that, alongside compliant way. of the broadest range of other consultees, you engage suppliers, including considering A key issue is the lack of with third sector organisations, sub-contracting and consortia knowledge of how commissioning as advocates, to access their building, where appropriate. processes work and of how specialist knowledge. 7. Ensuring long-term decisions are made. The impact 2. Consulting potential provider contracts and risk sharing, of this is that providers either feel organisations, including those wherever appropriate, as disengaged with commissioning from the third sector and ways of achieving efficiency processes or they want to address local experts, well in advance and effectiveness. the reasons for not getting of commissioning new 8. Seeking feedback from through the process, but do not services and working with service users, communities know what those reasons are. them to set priority outcomes and providers in order to for that service. Equally, commissioners want to review the effectiveness of 3. Putting outcomes for users make sure they are developing the commissioning process in at the heart of the strategic open and clear processes to meeting local needs planning process. providers. This is where the 4. Mapping the fullest practical The Compact needs to be eight principles of Intelligent range of providers with a reflected in all the ways the Commissioning can help as a way view to understanding the different sectors communicate of determining if there is Compact contribution they could make and work together. That is why compliance taking place. to delivering those outcomes. it is important that polices, 5. Considering investing in the procedures, partnership capacity of the provider base, agreements, staff induction 10 www.voscur.org October / November 2009 Issue 7
  • 11. The Compact programmes and any work or Council is one such area. Staff documentation refer to the working on the programme are If you need help to Compact and that organisations developing the commissioning engage with the sign up to the Bristol Compact. methodology for commissioners Compact, contact me Checklists are in development and providers. They are keen to at Voscur on 0117 909 9949 or to help organisations be ensure transparency, so have email louise@voscur.org. Compact compliant. There will been working with me to You may also be interested in be promotional events in the build in the eight points of looking at the national Compact coming months to help support Intelligent Commissioning. website: www.thecompact.org. compliance and further raise uk and Compact Advocacy can The Compact News newsletter awareness of the Compact. give further advice on Compact that will be produced every two This will include a Compact compliance: www.ncvo-vol.org. months (current issue available via: sign-up campaign. uk/compactadvocacy www.voscur.org/compact) is an I want to make the Compact more excellent place for you to share than just good practice guidance. the Compact compliant work you It needs to be meaningful – are doing and to promote the something with the strength of good and give examples of where the signatories behind it and a you have successfully challenged tool to positively take forward the bad. partnerships in Bristol. As we There is a regional Compact too. all begin to feel more Compact At times, local organisations confident and start to promote provide regional services, or good practice, we can share may bid for regional tenders, examples of how the use of the so working with regional Compact has benefited us and structures also needs to our service users. Where encompass a Compact way of Compact guidance has not been working. The Southwest Regional followed, we can develop a better Development Agency is just one way of working and not repeat of the signatories to the regional past mistakes. Compact, which can be viewed at: Some work has already begun www.southwestforum.org.uk/ to ensure Compact compliance. index.php?content=com The Enabling Commissioning Programme for Bristol City Issue 7 October / November 2009 www.voscur.org 11
  • 12. Sector News From the Ashes of the Crash Rebuilding the new economics — Saturday 17 October Schumacher people’s pursuit of profit, creating including the Soil Association, Lectures 2009 multinational companies and Resurgence, and the New increasing specialisation results Economics Foundation. Four and a half decades ago, the in gross economic inefficiency, green shoots of the environmental The Bristol Schumacher lectures environmental pollution and movement emerged following celebrated their 30th anniversary inhumane working conditions. the publication of Rachel Carson’s last year. One year on, in a global Schumacher proposed using book, Silent Spring, resulting in recession, the theme of the localised labour and resources – the banning of the pesticide DDT. conference is “From the Ashes of putting people and relationships the Crash”. This year the chosen Fritz Schumacher’s book, Small is at the heart of what we do. conference partner is the New Beautiful: A Study of Economics After Schumacher’s death in Economics Foundation. as if People Mattered (1971), 1977, the Schumacher Society also had a profound impact on For more information visit: was formed together with the environmentalists over a decade www.schumacher.org.uk Schumacher Circle, an alliance later. The book explained that Tel: 0117 903 1081 of like-minded organisations Well Women Seeks Help The trustees of Well Women Council and NHS Bristol to provide looking to expand its activities into Information (WWI) are looking services. In recent years WWI has the field of women’s health. for one or more local voluntary found it increasingly difficult to The current trustees of WWI organisations to take on recruit volunteer management are keen to hear from its services. committee members. In spite of organisations that think that this the staff have continued to After more than 21 years they might fit the bill. give a high quality service and providing counselling, a drop-in the remaining trustees have done for health advice and information, their best to support them. a health project for Asian women and many other services, the West At a recent special meeting of the Street based organisation is being membership it was agreed that it wound up. would be best for service users, For details please staff and trustees to find another phone Carly Wong, This is not due to lack of funds organisation to manage the Tel. 0117 941 2983 or but lack of trustees. WWI still services. This could be a fantastic email carly@ has funding from the Big Lottery opportunity for an organisation wellwomeninformation.org.uk and contracts with the City 12 www.voscur.org October / November 2009 Issue 7
  • 13. Member profile This film season tackles a tough subject none of us like to face, but sitting idly by and imagining it isn’t happening is not an option. Unchosen campaigns to raise within Bristol have started to work awareness of human trafficking in Bristol through together. As part of Unchosen’s campaign, they have facilitated Film Listing award-winning films, with meetings between the Police, All films have free admission. talks by the Directors, live Bristol City Council, University Please visit www.unchosen.org. performances and information. of the West of England and the uk for full details. voluntary and community sector, Human Trafficking, which includes Friday 6th November 2009, 7.30pm resulting in the forming of the people being forced into the country to work and be exploited first Bristol Active Communities UK premier — is the second largest illegal Against Trafficking (ACT) group, Victoria Terminus which is based in Shirehampton. industry worldwide, behind only Friday 13th November 2009, 7.30pm the arms trade. Trish Davidson La Forteresse The five films being shown across Tel: 0117 370 6417 Friday 20th November 2009, 7.30pm the four Fridays in November, trish@unchosen.org.uk include the UK premier of ‘Victoria www.unchosen.org.uk Lillja4Ever Terminus’, about the survival Friday 27th November 2009, 4.30pm of street kids in Mumbai; ‘La Forteresse’, which penetrates a Ghosts Swiss reception centre for asylum (Post Film Talk by Nick seekers; and ‘Ghosts’, made by Broomfield) world-renowned documentary Friday 27th November 2009, 7.30pm maker Nick Broomfield following the drowning of 23 Chinese cockle Rough Aunties pickers in Morecambe Bay in 2004. (South West Premiere) For the second year, film Venue: director Nick Broomfield is the Full Cinema Screen with free festival’s patron and he will stereo sound. once again be giving a talk about St. Stephens Church, his work. 21 St. Stephens Street, Since last year’s Film Festival, Bristol BS1 1EQ the anti-trafficking organisations Issue 7 October / November 2009 www.voscur.org 13
  • 14. Social Enterprise Day – 19 November 2009 A celebration of social enterprise within Global Entrepreneurship Week “Global Entrepreneurship Make Your Mark running a national How can you be Week is a shining example of enterprise challenge competition involved in Social for 14-19 year olds. Britain leading the world in Enterprise Day? enterprise and innovation. At In 2008, RISE, the regional Photo Competition this time of unprecedented infrastructure organisation for global change, I congratulate social enterprise in the South There is a great opportunity for everyone involved in Global West, organised a series of school good, free marketing through Entrepreneurship Week for events across the South West entering the second social encouraging people and and Stuart Griffin from Social enterprise photo competition. In countries to work together Enterprise Works delivered five the South West this is being run to find new ways to succeed.” workshops in Bristol schools to by RISE. get the young people to explore Take a photo that you think shows Gordon Brown, ideas for social enterprise. how social enterprise is more Prime Minister, Stuart will be delivering three than ‘business as usual.’ You’ll be November 2008 workshops on Social Enterprise expected to caption your photo Day, 19 November, to students at so use that space to tell the story Global Entrepreneurship Week Writhlington School in Radstock. behind the image – the photo will (16-22 November 2009) is We also hope to work with schools be judged on how it looks, but a worldwide movement of in Bristol during the week. also on the story it tells. Email your entrepreneurial people, with Writhlington School is a wonderful photo to: photocompetition@ millions turning their enterprising example of school based social socialenterprise.org.uk by talents and ideas into reality. Last enterprise. The aim of their 19 October. Images must be hi-res year, there were 24,966 events orchid project is for students to (2MB or more). The winner for and activities run in 77 countries, set up and manage international South West England will then go attended by more than 3.06 conservation projects based on to compete for the national million people (644,000 of which around innovative enterprise and prize for England, judged by the were in the UK). excellence in science, and they Social Enterprise Ambassadors. That massive level of activity really succeed. Over 60 students At the time of writing (August) covers every aspect of are involved in the project, meetings are being held with the entrepreneurship. In the UK which supplies orchids to Kew Regional Development Agency there has been a strong focus Gardens and the Eden Project and to develop the programme of on entrepreneurship and young conservation projects in South activities for Entrepreneurship people, with organisations such as America and Asia. Week in Bristol so there will be lots 14 www.voscur.org October / November 2009 Issue 7
  • 15. Social Enterprise Day – 19 November 2009 of opportunities to participate. evidence clear social aims and trading social enterprise, so it is Social Enterprise Works will be achievements, and whose profits worth keeping an eye on these holding free drop-in support and assets were used to support new developments. surgeries during the week and the those social aims and generate at Elaine Flint Voscur Assembly held that week least 50% of income from trading. Social Enterprise Works will have a social enterprise theme. As a trading social enterprise Visit our websites for more details: Tel: 0117 907 0080 ourselves, Social Enterprise Works www.socialenterpriseworks.org has been awarded the Mark and or www.voscur.org joins a number of other Mark holders in Bristol including SOFA, Social Enterprise Mark Social Enterprise Works Watershed, Bristol Community The Social Enterprise Mark that provides support to new Transport and many more. The was developed here in the South start and existing social new national Mark will have the West will be going national on enterprises. Lots of resources and same criteria for full accreditation, Social Enterprise Day. The Mark tools for business development but may also have a second level was developed for qualifying are available on our website. for organisations that are working organisations which could www.socialenterpriseworks.org towards being a sustainable, Issue 7 October / November 2009 www.voscur.org 15
  • 16. Voscur Training and Learning Collaboration — should you do it? ‘…all charities should consider seriously and imaginatively whether there are ways in which they could do more and better for their users by working together.’ The Charity Commission, ‘Collaborative Working and Mergers’ (2003) What is collaborative What are the potential • Complexity in decision-making working? benefits and risks of and loss of autonomy The Collaborative Working Unit collaboration? • Diverting energy and resources away from core at The National Council for Collaborative working is not aims – mission drift Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) right for every organisation. • Damage to or dilution of your defines collaborative working Carefully identifying any issues of brand and reputation as partnership between two or concern will help to establish if • Damage to organisation more voluntary organisations. collaboration is appropriate. and waste of resources if Organisations can work together Benefits include: collaboration is unsuccessful in a spectrum of ways from informal networks, through joint • New or improved services What areas do you need delivery of projects to full merger. • Wider geographical reach or to consider? access to new beneficiary What forms does groups You should think through all the collaborative working take? • Financial savings and better implications before you start working collaboratively. With • Separate organisations use of existing resources planning, you can manage the maintain their independence, • Knowledge, good practice risks. Consideration of what is but work jointly on some and information sharing best for your beneficiaries should activities or functions • Sharing the risk in new and underlie all your thinking. Trustees • Organisations with resources or untested projects must ensure their organisation expertise offer assistance to • Stronger, united voice acts legally and that professional other organisations. • Better co-ordination of advice is taken where relevant. • A new organisation to work organisations’ activities jointly on some activities or • Mutual support between Allow yourself enough time to functions organisations make an informed decision. It is • A group structure where a better to identify obstacles early Collaborative working should ‘parent’ organisation governs and not to proceed, than invest in enable you better to meet a group of ‘subsidiary’ a fruitless partnership venture. beneficiary need. organisations • Merger to form a new Risks include: organisation working as one • Outcomes do not justify the body on all activities time and resources invested 16 www.voscur.org October / November 2009 Issue 7
  • 17. Voscur Training and Learning Questions you should 3. Do you both see your consider respective inputs and Further advice 1. What are you hoping to outputs as fair? and support 4. Do other organisations achieve through collaboration? Collaboration have experience of working 2. Are you sure that collaborative Support skills for with them? working is the best way to development workers achieve this aim? Overcoming Obstacles Tuesday 6 October, 3. Who proposed the idea? Do Wednesday 7 October they have a vested interest? If you decide you want to go 4. Do your Trustees and Chief ahead, there may still be obstacles Barton Hill Settlement, Executive support the idea? in the way to a successful 43 Ducie Road, Bristol BS5 0AR 5. Does it fit within your collaboration. These include: Tel: 0117 955 6971 or email: organisation’s charitable personalities; competition garyb@bartonhillsettlement. objects as stated in your between partners; lack of org.uk governing document? information and experience; 6. Do your plans for lack of resources, especially The National Council collaborative working fit at decision-making stage and for Voluntary your strategic vision, values resistance to change. You can Organisations and current priorities? overcome these obstacles by Tel: 0800 2798 798 ensuring there are: www.ncvo-vol.org.uk/ How will the working • Good personal relationships collaborate relationship work? • Compatible cultures or an www.askncvo.org.uk You may have in mind a potential understanding of different partner that you already know and cultures Charity Commission trust. However, it is important to • Written agreements contact centre compare organisational culture • Experience of change Tel: 0870 333 0123 and working practices. You management, leadership will also need to consider your and vision Email: enquiries@ organisation’s culture, financial • Resources charitycommission.gsi.gov.uk management, public relations and • Clear and agreed mutual www.charitycommission.gov.uk what effect collaboration will have benefits on your public profile and the • A focus on the big picture Information in this article is taken from National Council for Voluntary staff you need. • Careful planning Organisation’s Collaborative Working Unit. • ICT tools Consider these questions Finally don’t do this alone, speak 1. How might formal to others who have done it, get collaboration change an legal advice when needed and existing relationship with get in contact with NCVO for your partner? further support. 2. Do you have clear, shared aims for the collaboration? Issue 7 October / November 2009 www.voscur.org 17
  • 18. Voscur Training and Learning Welcome to Voscur Learning This term we have lots of new courses and events; some free and some low cost as well as a new early bird scheme to help you pay for our courses. The early bird scheme means that full members get 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) Voscur recognises that you may need courses tailored for your organisation. We can run in house courses on many topics. Contact Sophie Bayley on 0117 909 9949. Recruitment of Volunteers New session covers governance, skills of trustees, risk and liabilities and effective meetings. Thursday 1 October 2009 (9.30am - 3.30pm) Black Development Agency, Single Equalities Bill New Russell Town Avenue, Redfield, Bristol BS5 9LT Wednesday 14 October (10am - 1pm) This session is for people who manage volunteers This session will cover basics of the new Single and would like to know more about effective Equalities Bill and will give you a chance to consider recruitment. It will cover volunteer motivation; how the duties for public sector bodies impact on barriers to volunteering; recruitment techniques your organisation and your users. There will be tasks and processes; developing adverts for volunteer and exercises that you can take back and use within roles and action planning. your own settings in terms of best practice. Trustee Series 1 – Why am I on CWDC (Children’s Workforce the committee? Development Council) Tuesday 6 October 2009 (10am - 1pm) Common Induction: Generic The Federation of City Farms, The GreenHouse, Multi-Agency Training Hereford St, Bristol BS3 4NA 19 & 20 October and 10 & 11 November This course will give anyone who has the role of a 2009, dates and venue to be confirmed. trustee a basic overview of their legal duties and This is for practitioners in the Children’s Workforce, responsibilities and is ideal if you have just become a working at NVQ Levels 3 & 4. It will cover principles, trustee or just want to brush up on your skills. values and legislation; understanding Children and Young People’s (CYP) development; building Trustee Series 2 – Good Governance – relationships and communicating with CYP and How to be a better Trustee. keeping CYP safe from harm. This is a pilot run by Tuesday 13 October 2009 (10am - 1pm) Bristol City Council. Four grants are available from The Federation of City Farms, The GreenHouse, Voscur for the cost of supply cover, contact Emma Hereford St, Bristol BS3 4NA Rice: emma@voscur.org for details. To book a place This session complements ‘Why am I on the contact Julie Upson, email: committee?’ and looks in greater detail at how Julie.upson@bristol.gov.uk Trustees can be more effective in their role. The 18 www.voscur.org October / November 2009 Issue 7
  • 19. Voscur Training and Learning Retention and Support of and methods of Full Cost Recovery, to ensure that Volunteers New (Full) your funding applications take account of how new projects impact on your existing services. Tuesday 20 October 2009 (9.30am - 3.30pm) For people who manage volunteers and would like to Working Together – Child Protection know more about how to support and retain them. Level One Training This session will cover the importance of: induction; Monday 23 November 2009 (9.30am – 4pm) other ways of supporting volunteers; supervision; The Greenway Centre, Doncaster Road, why people stop volunteering; recognition and action Southmead, Bristol BS10 planning. To add your name to the waiting list please This is for anyone who has frontline responsibility email: lucy@voscur.org for the protection and safeguarding of children and particularly for anyone working with young people. Improving Diversity in your It will cover definitions, signs and symptoms of Volunteer Workforce New abuse, multi-agency child protection procedures and Wednesday 11 November 2009 guidelines and how to make a referral to social care. (9.30am - 3.30pm) The Park Centre, Daventry Road, Knowle, Monitoring and evaluation – an Bristol BS4 1QD introduction New For people who manage volunteers and would like Wednesday 25 November 2009 to diversify their volunteer workforce. It will cover (9.30am - 3.30pm) equalities and socially excluded communities; looking @ Symes Community Building, Peterson Avenue, at who you are reaching; equalities Communities in Hartcliffe, Bristol BS13 0BE Bristol; legislation supporting equalities volunteers This new training will help you understand monitoring and the benefits of a diverse team. and evaluation (M&E). It is for people who are quite new to M&E and who want to know about outcomes Supporting your Volunteer and indicators, ways of collecting information, the Board New questions you need to ask and how to use the data. Tuesday 17 November 2009 (9.30am - 1pm) Black Development Agency, Russell Town Data Protection & Confidentiality New Avenue, Redfield, Bristol BS5 9LT Thursday 26 November 2009 This is for chief executives or managers who would (6.00pm - 8.00pm) like to support their volunteer board more effectively. Burges Salmon LLP, Narrow Quay House, This session will cover roles and responsibilities of Narrow Quay, Bristol BS1 4AH trustees; the management / governance split; skills This session, run by Burges Salmon Solicitors, will audits for board and other support; how you can consist of a run through of the Data Protection Act retain your board and how to improve meetings. and the law of confidentiality considering practical Full Cost Recovery applications for organisations. Wednesday 18 November (9.30am - 3.30pm) If you want to book onto any of our events Barton Hill Settlement, Ducie Road, Barton Hill, or training then go to www.voscur.org Bristol BS5 0AX where you will find more information, or call This course will give you an introduction to the theory us on 0117 909 9949. Issue 7 October / November 2009 www.voscur.org 19
  • 20. Have Your Say - Vox Pops Creative Ideas for Empty Shops As the recession bites, neighbourhoods are suffering from empty shop units. Bristol is one of 57 cities to receive more than £50,000 from the government to help areas hit hardest by the recession find creative ways to reduce the negative impact empty shops are having on the high street. We asked Voscur members what they think this money should be used for, and whether they think that the voluntary and community sector could make good use of empty shop units in Bristol. “I would “We’re “Church Road strongly advise fortunate in in Lawrence that retail Hartcliffe and Hill has had outlets be Withywood as many empty made available we’ve had the shop units that for the community to use for Symes Avenue shops boosted have been taken over by local any kind of activity but make but there are smaller shops in Somali people. Empty shop it easier for them to use. Red the area that could probably units could be really good for tape is a barrier – try and cut do with support to get more new local business starts ups. down on the red tape through custom to their area. In St Organisations like Bristol East the council and make access Paul’s (where I work) there are Side Traders could help to get (to empty shops) a bit better. quite a few shop units that are empty shops filled again.” In Brislington it would be really not being used and a massive nice to see shops used to building – Westmorland House Dave Hobson, display some local artwork that is derelict, that people Barton Hill Settlement and also as a showcase for have been trying to get what’s actually available to developed for several years. the community.” The use of some of these empty shops for studios and Liz Venn, to promote art has been Brislington Neighbourhood favoured within St Paul’s Partnership community. I think also giving new small businesses the opportunity to use empty units on a temporary basis to see if the business that they wanted to get going would actually work, would be a really good idea. It would be great to support projects helping young people with small business.” Tracy Edwards Brown, Hartcliffe and Withywood Community Partnership 20 www.voscur.org October / November 2009 Issue 7
  • 21. Voscur’s Website Working for You Promote and Recruit via the Voscur website Jobs Page opportunities. We have recruited On-Line Diary a number of people via the Voscur job ads “effectively reach Add your event to our on-line Voscur website and would highly skilled local people actively diary www.voscur.org/event recommend it!” looking for new opportunities” Bridget Gillespie, Bristol Noticeboard Recruiting or looking for a job – Drugs Project Advertise on our noticeboard look no further than the Voscur www.voscur.org/view/ website – here’s what some of “The system is quick and easy to classified-ads our advertisers say: use and we have had a lot of good and relevant applications thanks to “For recruitment advertising Ebulletin the Voscur website. The staff are Circomedia have used Voscur on always helpful.” Keep in touch with the latest a couple of occasions and have news, publicise your own event, Terry Jones, Survive been delighted with the service. meeting or announcement via For the last vacancies we had a “I have used Voscur’s online the Voscur ebulletin. huge response and the standard job advertising service on To subscribe to the Voscur of applicants was very high. We two occasions. I found it very e-bulletin visit: would definitely use Voscur again.” easy to use and the inputting www.voscur.org/ebulletin William Pritchard, Circomedia of information was very straightforward. It is a very quick To submit your news, email 75 “The application process to way to advertise a job to a wide words, including contact details advertise with Voscur is extremely range of people and is good to: stephanie@voscur.org easy and the staff at Voscur are value for money for member always helpful. The response to organisations.” an advert on the site is always Lynn, St Werburghs City Farm positive and the site itself is easily accessible.” Our jobs pages get over 138,000 Lyn Campbell, Single Parent views a year. Jobs are added on a Action Network (SPAN) daily basis; you won’t believe how Please contact Polly little it costs to advertise your Stewart to discuss how “We regularly advertise with job, especially if you are a Voscur your organisation can Voscur as its easy to use, member. To find out more go to make the most of Voscur’s affordable and most importantly, www.voscur.org/view/jobs website: 0117 909 9949 or effectively reaches skilled local email: polly@voscur.org people actively looking for new Issue 7 October / November 2009 www.voscur.org 21
  • 22. Equalities Social Class — An Equality Strand? Socio-economic duty Is social class likely to become an equality strand? The Government is introducing a Duty on public service providers to take in to account social mobility when planning and developing services. Social class is an issue that the delivery of public services or employment are far more likely most of us tend to have strong such as education and health, to go to prison, each one costing opinions about; it often causes and the immediate impact of between £15,000 and £50,000 per passionate debate and is an the economic downturn can year for each prison place. aspect on which individuals get negatively affect the life chances judged, stereotyped, and have Allowing public bodies like health of individuals. assumptions made about them. authorities to take into account It is a major cause of disadvantage Considering socio-economic deprivation in their area will and discrimination. Here is the disadvantage will be important in help them properly tackle issues Equality and Human Rights driving social mobility. Educational such as preventing heart disease Commission’s (EHRC) response to success is the most important and obesity-related illnesses, the social economic duty outlined contributor to life chances. potentially saving the NHS money in the Single Equality Bill. in the long term. According to research released ‘We welcome the government’s The Commission’s role will be by the Government’s Social decision to require public to use the legislation and Mobility Commission research, authorities to consider socio- powers currently available, such three-quarters of judges economic disadvantage in as the public duties and the and 70% of finance directors the planning and monitoring Human Rights Act, in order to were independently schooled, of the services they provide. create social change. It will as were 45% of senior civil The Commission was an early assess the impact of particular servants and 32% of MPs. At supporter of this provision forms of disadvantage the other end of society 85% because we believe to ignore through using a consistent of white boys from low socio-economic disadvantage measurement framework. socio-economic groups do means you ignore some of the not get five decent GCSEs. most deep-rooted discrimination For more information on in the UK’. the EHRC’s response to Failing to tackle the root causes the Bill in relation to the Socio-economic disadvantage of this inequality early on in life Equality strands please see: is one of the many complex could cost the taxpayer more in www.equalityhumanrights.com/ structural causes of discrimination the long term, for example, young legislative-framework/equality- and inequality. Factors such as people who aren’t in education bill/summary-of-our-response changes in the labour market, 22 www.voscur.org October / November 2009 Issue 7
  • 23. Equalities Different+equal The University of the West of The different types of EIAs you will previously the impact may have England (UWE) has produced need to think about are: been negative. an easy-to-use tool to help you Adverse impact: assessing if You can use the tool (which carry out equalities impact decisions or services although is produced as a set of cards assessments (EIA) on your work seemingly benefiting a range of with a series of questions to and services. groups, might cause a specific work through) with your board We tend to think of EIAs as a group to experience an unequal or members, or staff team. remit for statutory services, but negative impact it is good practice for voluntary Differential impact: assessing how For more information groups to think about the impact different groups might experience and a pack of the cards of changes, particularly in this your service, even though it may please contact: Angelina economic climate when changes not cause any negative impacts Carrozza, Equality and Diversity could have severe effects on Manager, Human Resources, individuals and communities who Positive impact: assessing if, or UWE Bristol. Email: use our services. how, changes in decisions or angeline.carrozza@uwe.ac.uk services might impact positively Tel: 0117 328 1641 on a specific group where Bristol Equalities Network 13 October, 2009, 1pm – 3.30pm, The St Werburghs Centre, Horley Road, St Werburghs, Bristol BS2 9JT The next Equalities Network agreeing a proposal that can be attend to discuss the council’s will focus on Equalities and taken to the Bristol Partnership current strategy on community the Bristol Partnership, and Executive, drawn up from wider cohesion in Bristol. community cohesion. consultation and subsequent Lunch is provided but you will working group meetings. A series of meetings have taken need to book. place this year to discuss Equalities The process of equalities To book your place please visit: representation on the Bristol representation on the Bristol www.voscur.org Partnership. The process has been Partnership will be discussed at slower than expected; many of the next network meeting and those involved in trying to move participants will be updated For more information the process forward are doing so on the current situation. The please contact with limited capacity. Equalities Network will be held on Ruth Pitter on 13 October, from 1pm to 3.30pm. ruth@voscur.org or Discussions have been moving emma@voscur.org on with Linda Prosser, the Bristol Jon House, Deputy Chief Executive Tel: 0117 909 9949 Partnership Director, about of Bristol City Council will also Issue 7 October / November 2009 www.voscur.org 23
  • 24. Have Your Say Power to the people? Council proposals for devolving more decision making to neighbourhoods were unveiled at the September meeting of the Neighbourhood Partnership Residents Forum (see Voscur quick guide insert to the proposals in this issue of Thrive! or online at www.voscur.org). We asked residents from community and voluntary organisations across Bristol who attended the meeting for their instant reaction to the proposals. “I think that equalities and how they are going “Most of it was giving more say to ensure that the equalities stuff that I’ve over how money groups are represented on expected but is spent to more these different forums and we’ve been people is partnerships. I think you’re going asking ‘can you generally a good idea. to have to be very careful that please write this down’ so it’s I fear that the amounts of money it isn’t just tokenistic. There is a quite nice to see some of it are fairly small, that decisions may history of local people saying ‘oh written down. In that sense I feel end up being fairly small and that that doesn’t affect me, I don’t buoyed up slightly. It’s good, a people may end up feeling that need to be involved – other good step forward.” they still haven’t got the clout people will do that’ and there Ben Barker, Greater Bedminster that they would like to have. I also being an elite few that will end Community Partnership feel that the big, big challenge up doing the actual work. I think is to get ‘the man in the street’ NP need to develop a much more to want to be involved in their public face, be more open to “It feels like local neighbourhood.” the community as a whole. I just we’ve been here think it’s a massive undertaking, before. What I Ches Chesney, Old Market understand it will take a long time wanted to hear Community Association to roll out. Whether it will work or was how much not remains to be seen.” money each neighbourhood has “On the one been allocated, but that didn’t Gabbi, Hartcliffe and Withywood hand what I have come out of the meeting and Community Partnership heard and we’ve been told it won’t be understood in decided until next February. It’s principle I think is interesting that we’re having so brilliant, in practice I’m very many neighbourhoods and so sceptical. I think if the community many people are complaining actually gets behind this I think it about how large some of these could work but there is a lot of neighbourhoods are. I do think ironing out to do. My major that more people need to be concern is where they put more involved on a lower level. 24 www.voscur.org October / November 2009 Issue 7
  • 25. Have Your Say It’s coming, it’s been dictated “It made me “Trying things by the council, that’s what it think about the out, evolving, feels like.” funding of the learning that Neighbourhood kind of thing, I Lisa Blackwood, Partnerships and really like the St Pauls Unlimited the structure of them and it made approach. The detailed stuff that me realise how they’ve developed people were asking about , people “There is still differently across Bristol. I do feel always ask those questions at this quite a lot of that the present council is very stage don’t they, that will work to do in committed to listening to local hopefully be in place eventually terms of communities and as far as possible and is going to be a lot of work to developing a putting their views into practice.” do, a lot of cultural change for structure that’s not necessarily people, a lot of business planning Anne Green, Sea Mills Community the same across the city but a but it’s still quite exciting.” Association (SCAF) structure that is more workable Fran Stewart, St George than what we’ve got at the Neighbourhood Partnership moment. I felt quite strongly that “I think it’s a although it’s good, for example, in great idea Shirehampton we’ve got SCAF providing which is a good structure and enough funds we’ve got very good workers, it are put aside to seems that the ordinary resident enable each ward to operate with Find out more that doesn’t belong to a particular their councillors, to keep the To find out more group is pushed out and we want bureaucracy down and to get the about the council’s plans for to find some ways of rectifying action going.” Neighbourhood Partnerships that. It’s only the beginning and Martin Graham, Lockleaze Voice and Neighbourhood Committees I’m hoping that there’s going to and how you can have your be more really because there is an say visit www.voscur.org/ awful long way to go.” brispartnership/np or call Val Jenkins, Shirehampton Matthew Symonds at Voscur on Community Action Forum (0117) 909 9949 Issue 7 October / November 2009 www.voscur.org 25