NVSC - Newham Voluntary Sector Consortium
May 18, 2005
Older People's Services Tendering Fiasco
Social Services made a decision that they would competitively tender for the preventative services for older people, however this decision was not communicated to the voluntary sector until the last minute
Added to this was the news that the budget would also be reduced by £500k. The cut would be used to fund Day Care Services for Asian and African Caribbean older people who met the Fair Access to Care Services (FACS) criteria.
What followed can only be described as a shambles! The tender documents were late in being sent out, relevant officers did not attend the one meeting called for all applicants. There was no support for the sector to complete the tender documentation and to add to this chaotic process the decision dates continually slipped. This meant that in many cases existing projects either had to make staff redundant and some staff could not cope with the uncertainty and took up alternative employment elsewhere.
The contracts that have been awarded appear to have been done so with little knowledge of the sector and in an attempt to appease some communities. Quality of service has not been thought about, neither has the ability to deliver.
There is still no lunch club provision - it is being re-tendered. As always the Council have awarded less than is practical to keep services running whilst expecting the full range of services to still be available. Interestingly there now appears a service area called "other" which was awarded to an organisation who appeared not to have participated in the competitive tendering.
If ever there was one good reason for having a Compact in Newham, the tendering of preventative services for older people is it. Our colleagues in the voluntary sector are still coming to terms with the devastation their organisations have faced, whilst the older people in the borough are having to face the stark reality that their clubs are no longer open.
I accept that having a Compact would not allocate more money to Social Services or even change the end result, however having a Compact would have seriously impacted on the process - which in turn may have helped the organisations.
The level of mistrust that we have in the Council continues to grow - the work needed to be put in to persuade the sectors that a Compact can and will change the relationship should not be underestimated. For some organisations the Compact will come too late.
Of course there is little point in asking the obvious question - if older people have little or no preventative services how quickly will they become eligible for FACS provision? No point in asking because Social Services would rather use a sticking plaster to cover a gaping wound than a more appropriate dressing.
Corporate Giving Aids Not4Profits
In kind giving is one of the fastest growing ways UK companies are helping the community and the environment.
In kind giving is one of the fastest growing ways UK companies are helping the community and the environment. Founded by HRH The Prince of Wales in 1996 In Kind Direct encourages
manufacturers and retailers to donate their high quality surplus goods to the project, who then pass them on to other charities. Last year In Kind Direct received over #9 million worth of new surplus goods from over a hundred companies, including many household names such as Procter & Gamble, Kimberly- Clark, Unilever, Microsoft, The Disney Store and Early Learning Centre for distribution to its network of more than a thousand UK voluntary organisations working at home and abroad. Goods include:
Toys
Toiletries
Tools
Trainers
Clothes
Shoes
Sportswear & Equipment
Bedding and linen
Office supplies
Household appliances
Cleaning Products
Only available to other registered charities In Kind Direct is a Member organisation which means you must be a registered member and pay an annual subscription fee to be eligible to receive any of the donated goods. Once registered, you will receive a monthly catalogue of available goods. Items are then selected from the list, and you only pay a handling charge, which includes delivery to your door. Nothing obtained from In Kind Direct can be sold, raffled, bartered or traded; everything must be used by the charities either to run their operations or be given to the people they serve. The recently revamped and re-launched website which can be found at www.inkinddirect.org, and is full of information about how good causes benefit and which companies give in kind. For more information visit the site or contact Lindsay Swan on 020 7860 5919 or email.
Voluntary Sector Update by Corrine Hutcheson Voluntary Sector Development Officer
Working with the Corporate Sector is an important issue that has been raised at several recent Voluntary Sector meetings.
Therefore, at the last VSM, I invited along East London Business Alliance (ELBA) to address some of the issues around working with the corporate sector.
Elba's role is to ensure that both voluntary sector organisations and businesses will benefit from the relationship and play an imperative role in pairing the right voluntary sector organisation with the right business.
The meeting was informative, enabling those that attended to gain an insight into what the Corporate Sector look for when working with Voluntary Organisations and what the relationship might achieve. Two local businesses gave presentations - Tate & Lyle '...one of the worlds leading ingredients companies with operations predominantly focused in Europe and the US;' and Marsh, a global risk management and insurance services company, both of whom operate within the local area. Both presentations highlighted what they get out of such a relationship and explained that by working with voluntary organisations it not only helps to improve the image of their business, but assists them in fulfilling their corporate and social responsibility and developing employee opportunities. They explained that voluntary sector organisations can benefit by receiving cash donations and that many businesses can support employee volunteering, give as you earn schemes and fundraising. The presentations also highlighted some important do's and don'ts when asking for corporate support.
Examples of voluntary sector organisations in Newham that have already formed partnerships with the corporate sector were highlighted and included Community Links, Shpresa Programme and Discover. Elba enforced the importance of forming partnerships/relationships across the sector. I think that those involved will have left the session feeling positive about how to approach the corporate sector for support in the future.
The next meeting will take place on Thursday 26th May 2005 at The Hub, Star lane, Canning Town and will commence at 12.30pm with a Networking Lunch. The meeting will include information on how you can be part of Newham's largest Funding Fair taking place in June with both Local and National Funders. I look forward to seeing you there!
Faith Sector Update by Jacqui Connor
Following the successful Faith Conference held 30th November 2004 at Stratford Town Hall, the Faith Action Plan has now been produced and was launched on 16th March at Flanders Community Centre by Faith Steering Group member Rev Brian Lewis.
In his presentation Brian explained that the first part of the report focuses on the background, context and reasons for having a conference whilst the second part of the Action Plan gives a short summary of the speeches, workshops and plan of action for the future.
The 4 strategic objectives are set out below:
1) To develop the Faith Forum so that working groups can be formed under the following headings /work programmes;
Education
Older people
Health
Spirituality
Ethnicity
Young people
Compact
Equality of women
Arts and culture
2) To develop a Faith Unit in partnership with the local authority, PCT, Police and the Community, Faith and Voluntary sector up to March 2008 to take forward the proposed Action Plan and work closely with public authorities in finding efficient and innovative ways to deliver frontline services contributing to the LSP priorities of:
Anti-social behaviour and crime
Poverty and Inequality
Young people
Health
3) To work with the Civic Partnership to produce a feasibility study looking into the benefits of a sustainable Multi Faith Facility.
4) To work with the broad range of UK, London and local faith
umbrella organisations to promote locally the aims and
objectives of Neighbourhood Renewal.
Participants were keen to find out how they could contribute to developing the projects that were highlighted in the action plan and were informed that working groups will be established to take forward each of the work programmes. Anyone wishing to get involved in any of these work programmes should contact Jacqui Connor.
Community Sector Update - Renate Ruther-Greaves Community Sector Development Officer
Representation of Community Groups at the Civic Partnership
Correction: We wrongly reported in the March edition that overall NRF allocation was £100 m out of which £50 m has been spent, the actual figure is £40 m. Apologies for this error. As promised, Colin Watts, Community Sector Representative, gave an overview of NRF spending on each of the neighbourhood renewal floor targets, with the largest proportion being spent on locally identified priorities such as Young People, Crime and Anti-Social Behaviour, and outlined selected case studies from the 2004-06 Programme.
Strengthening the Community Sector
We heard very positive feedback from people who attended the free training courses at Levelheaded and a summary introduction of the Community Research Training delivered by ARVAC. A total of 95 course places have been booked to date.
An overview of further free training courses being run by the London Voluntary Service Council, The Projects Company and CIDA was presented, with details of how to access this training.
Participants were encouraged to attend the forthcoming Charity Fair with a snapshot guide on what was on offer and how to get the most from the programme.
Office Space, Venues, Meeting Places for Community Groups
We heard feedback from the LBN Community Space Scrutiny Commission meeting held on 22nd February 2005.
Funding
Participants were updated about the following small Newham grants: NRF Community Chest and Community Learning Chest, Local Network Fund, Access to Excellence, The Community Initiatives Fund, The Royal Docks Trust and the Health Improvement Fund.
If you would like more detailed information on any of the issues above, please contact me. I look forward to seeing you at the next sector meeting on 23rd May 2005 at 6.30 pm, venue: the Hub, 123 Star Lane, E16.
Community Chest/Learning Chest
Another round of NRF community/learning chest has been launched for groups from April 2005 to March 2006 and as in previous years all deadlines are on the 15th of each calendar month.
Whilst many applications were successful a large number were not and we have listed the most common reason why applications fail.
Why applications fail
Organisation is not legally eligible.
Application is submitted late
Application does not include all necessary enclosures
Projects do not meet the aims and local priorities.
Users' needs have not been properly considered
Organisations have not consulted with users whether they need the project.
Skill deficiency to carry out the intended project
The project has not been roperly costed.
Organisations can not justify all the costs they want the grant to pay for.
Unclear long-term changes the project will bring about
Group have unallocated resources that is #10,000 or more
The group has an income of over #50,000
A few Tips
Remember, the person who is reading your proposal probably has about 500 applications to get through. They probably won't have detailed knowledge of the work you do, the area you operate in, or your client group. If your application meets the criteria, is well written, in plain English, well researched, proof read for errors, well thought out, properly costed, and makes your case effectively and BRIEFLY it will shine out like a star!
Guidance Notes
The most common mistake groups make is not reading the Guidance Notes. These should be read carefully and get advice before submitting an application. We hope to run training and funding workshops to coincide with this round, so contact Deb Cozier or Ali Ahmed for advice and information and good luck!
Through the eyes of the Panel
When we are assessing applications we consider the following:
1) What difference will the project make to the people or organisations that benefit from it?
2) Does the project respond to local needs?
3) Does the project proposal have the support of the relevant community?
4) Does the project tackle issues of social exclusion?
5) Will the project benefit the more deprived neighbourhoods and/or marginalized communities in the area?
6) Are all the enclosures attached?
7) Does the organisation have an income of #50,000.00 or less?
If we can answer YES to all these questions, your application has a good chance of being successful.
Funding Fair at the Hammers!!
Organised and jointly funded by: The London Borough of Newham, Newham Voluntary Sector Consortium, New Deal for Communities, Black and Ethnic Minority Community Care Forum, The Primary Care Trust, Metropolitan Police the Funding Fair will bring together a range of local and national funders to include
- Community Chest
- Local Network Fund
- New Deal for Communities
- English Heritage
- Metropolitan Police
- Newham Primary Care Trust
Funders will be highlighting what their priorities for the coming year and on hand to discuss your proposed funding applications. Training and advice organisations will also be part of the exhibition, and will be able to provide advice on a range of topics.
There will also be seminars and workshops taking place throughout the day on:
- Change Up - a Capacity Building and Infrastructure Framework.
- Fundraising Strategies
- Outcome Funding and tips on how to get your funding application noticed.
Groups will also have the opportunity to use the Funderfinder and Grantnet applications which can assist you in highlighting other
funding sources.
Event Timetable
Starting at 9.30am and running through till 8.00pm, it is hoped the schedule will give organisations ample opportunity to participate. There will also be free parking, free refreshments and food available throughout the day. Booking for the event and the workshops is essential, so please contact Corrine to book. If you do not book in advance we will not be able to guarantee you place on the workshop of your choice.
Website
There is a dedicated website for the Funding Fair, where you can book online for your workshops and register for the event. See www.nvsc.org.uk/fundingfair to book and further details.
May Sector Meetings
All 3 Sector Meetings are being held at The Hub 123 Star Lane, Canning Town, E16 4PZ. NVSC members will also be able to pick up their copy of the Newham Directory.
Voluntary - Thursday 26th May, commencing at 12.30pm with a Networking Lunch. Meeting starts 1.00pm prompt. Contact Saifur to book.
Faith - Wednesday 18th May, commencing at 7.00pm with a Networking Lunch. Meeting starts 7.30pm prompt. Contact Jacqui to book.
Community - Monday 23rd May, commencing at 6.30pm with a Networking buffet. Meeting starts 7.00pm prompt. Contact Renate to book.
NRF Panel Member Vacancies
NVSC currently have 2 vacancies on the NRF Community Chest Panel. We are particularly keen to recruit from the faith and community Sector. For details please call ALI AHMED on 020 8522 5354