NVSC - Newham Voluntary Sector Consortium
September 11, 2006
Compact Set to go Live!
After what seems an eternity, Newham's Compact is set to enter its implementation phase. A lot of hard work has been achieved in reaching agreement on this important document and the Sectors need to embrace it fully to ensure that the principles enshrined within it are not merely words.
The Compact will be monitored by the implementation group. This group will help to ensure that wherever possible, all of our respective services and the Statutory partners, passes the Compact test. So for example, procurement, when the Council is tendering out a service they should consider the Third Sector and be able to show that they have considered this. Of course this will take time and is a change in culture. In the Council there will be Compact Champions whose role it will be to spread the word. Hopefully, over the next few months there will be Champions in the PCT and the Newham University Hospital Trust as well as the Police. We don't expect to get it right all the time - but we are prepared to learn from each other and improve the way we work with each other. Each of the partners will have a named person, someone who you can go to for information, who will give advice and if necessary take the issue to the implementation group. For the Council that person is Tom Connor who is Head of the Community Support Unit and for the three sectors it is me.
The VCF Sectors have a significant role to play. We have responsibilities and we need to be ready to meet this challenge. You will all have received the Draft Compact document and I would urge you all to familiarise yourself with that document. Over the next few months there will be opportunities for you to come and learn how the Compact could work for your organisation. We will also be asking for volunteers from each of the sectors to sit on the Implementation Group. You will have the chance to select your representative at each of the forthcoming sector meetings. The representatives will play an important role and need to be prepared to think strategically and be ambassadors for the sector.
The Compact is a working document which will be reviewed and updated on a regular basis. We still have further codes to develop and consult on. The Compact will be officially launched during Compact week and we will be using that week to further promote the Compact and asking you to sign up to it. Look out for further information.
Sarah Ruiz
Director
Alternatives Crisis Pregnancy Centre
Beginnings
Alternatives started in February 1994 as a Crisis Pregnancy Centre run by Julia Acott. Alternatives was started in Julia’s front room to provide information and support to women who found themselves with an unplanned pregnancy. Alternatives finds that if women are given support and information during this most difficult time, then they are more likely to make the right decision for them. Women are helped to think through all the options. This may result in them keeping their baby, looking at adoption or being satisfied that a termination is the right option for them. The time and advice given will help them feel empowered and sure about their decision and less likely to regret it later. Alternatives aims to get people’s heads and hearts in line and offers support, whatever decision a woman comes to, by way of the young mum’s group, help with adoption or post abortion support.
Growth and development
Alternatives has grown considerably since 1994, from 6 volunteers working in a private home to 25 volunteers based at the centre at 66 Prince Regent Lane, Plaistow. Each month they help around 200 women, either through appointments or with telephone counselling. It now has 3 part time employed staff alongside Julia.
Post abortion support
Alternatives is the only organisation in the borough which provides post abortion support in the form of a steps programme over 10 sessions, called The Journey. This can be done either one to one or in a small support group. Many women have found this enormously helpful, as abortion attracts a lot of strong feeling and can remain a secret with no one to talk to. Alternatives approach allows people to work through all the difficulties and move forwards in life, leaving the past behind.
Centre staff team & training
Most of the centre’s trained advisors complete one 2-3 hour shift each week. The team also meets together for supervision, training and management. All the centre’s trained advisors have completed the ACC accredited 50-hour training course Called to Care in crisis pregnancy counselling, and at a later stage are offered the opportunity to participate in post-abortion counselling training.
Schools Work
For the last six years, Alternatives has run a small number of sessions in local schools, but has now established a larger, trained education team, to go into schools and youth clubs to discuss issues around relationships. Sessions include relationships, unplanned pregnancy, STIs, HIV/AIDS, contraception and also discussions around the place of sex with-in a relationships.
They are also happy to provide briefing sessions for adults.
Young Mums Under 21’s Support
In September 2005, a group was started to support young mums under 21 and their babies. The young parents named the group ‘We are Family’ club. It is a supportive place to look at life and parenting skills, relationship issues, and is also a place of fun and friendship. The group is led by Julia Acott, Dr Chris Andrew, a psychiatrist, and Julia Dexter from Positive Parenting. It meets in the Children’s Centre of Memorial Baptist Church Barking Road, Plaistow, on Mondays between 11.00-1.00. There is also an Outreach Worker who supports people during the week.
Alternatives has helped over 6,000 women and their partners since 1994. If you would like to speak in confidence with someone about pregnancy and abortion issues, or if you are interested in training, volunteering or supporting the organisation in any way, please contact Alternatives on 020 7476 8215 or email us at alternatives@altel.org.uk or drop into 66 Prince Regent Lane, Plaistow between 10:00am - 1:00pm (Monday to Friday only).
ASSOCIATION OF LONDON GOVERNMENT
There are worrying times ahead for organisations who have previously been awarded a grant from the Association of London Government. These grants are awarded to projects that work across more than one London borough, normally providing services to London's most excluded. In the past there has been debate about whether each of the boroughs get value for money, having to contribute an amount based on population.
Over the past year there has been an in depth piece of research, carried out by the ALG. The findings were, amongst other things, that in the main each London borough was getting value for money.
After the Council elections in May, the political make up of the ALG changed and with it, a change of view on the ALG Grants Committee.
The ALG Grants Committee have decided that they would repatriate the savings from a proposed 33% cut in the grants budget - this means that each borough will pay 33% less. The understanding by most is that this money would then be targeted in a more local way. Good news one may think, more money for the sector. Think again.
There is actually nothing to stop any of the boroughs spending their "savings" on what they choose, therefore this will equate to a 33% cut in most if not all boroughs.
If you are in receipt, or had intended to apply to the ALG, I suggest you write to the Mayor of Newham and express your concern. I am sure that the Chair of the Grants Committee at the ALG would be delighted to receive your comments.
GO FOR IT GRANT
Bring your good ideas to life and a community fit to host the 2012 Games
* Clean-up campaign * Crime prevention * Arts event
* Healthy living * Street parties * Employment project
* Older people’s project
Whatever your idea to improve your community, we can help you put it into action with a GO FOR IT grant. Whether under £500 or up to £5,000, you could get the funding to help your community activity blossom in time for the 2012 Games. For more information or an application pack call 020 8430 2486/2433 or log on to www.newham.gov.uk/goforit
NVSC Newham Directory
NVSC launched the Newham Directory in February 2005 and envisage to update the Directory in 2007.
The Directory is a comprehensive guide to voluntary and community groups in Newham and has become the main resource people use to find out about groups in Newham.
The Newham Directory is available as a binder or on a CD-Rom.
If your organisation is already included in the directory and would like to update any of your details, this is the right time to do it.
If your organisation is not in the directory and would like to be included in the next update then please contact Saifur Valli on 020 8519 9500 or email saifur@nvsc.org.uk
Registration Benefits:
- Receive a free copy of the directory
- Automatic entry to NVSC's Find A Group Online Directory on the website
- Log-In details so you can post your own events, training course and job vacancies on the main NVSC website.
- Access to a colour photocopier to produce your own flyers
- Receive bi-weekly email
bulletins
So don't delay and call for a
Registration Form TODAY!
Complete and return the Registration Form by the cut off date; Friday December 1st 2006.
Forms received after the cut off date will receive full membership and be entered onto the Online Directory but will not be included in the CD-Rom or binder version of the 2006 Directory.
Newham 2012
The Newham 2012 Unit has been awarded some £12 million of NRF Spend. This includes £1 million for the Go For It Grants, but what else will the remaining £11 million be spent on?
Of particular interest to the community will be how we can be involved and there is considerable funding dedicated to community initiatives. £619,000 will be spent on Information and Exhibitions, £497,000 on Community Engagement Events with a further £500,000 allocated to Volunteering.
There are further allocations around young people, business, health and sport. With over £1million being spent on Newham's Image and a further £2million on the actual 2012 unit including an evaluation.
We will keep you informed on how you can get involved - and hope to produce an Olympic Special before the end of the year.
A proposal of a secondment from the Voluntary Sector to the 2012 team nearly a year ago looks as if it might actually become a reality.
Keep a look out in the NVSC e-news bulletin’s where an advert for a long term secondment from the sector is due to be advertised. The details of the post are yet to be confirmed but specific knowledge of the voluntary sector will be required.
Meet our new Faith Sector Development Worker
Hi, I would like to introduce myself as the new Faith Sector Development Worker for NVSC. My name is Becci Fryatt and I am very happy to have the opportunity to work in my home area of Newham.
I have lived most of my life in Forest Gate and attended Sandringham Primary School and St. Angela's Secondary School. I then went on to study for a BA in Politics at Durham University, and have just completed a MA in Peace Studies at Lancaster University.
My hobbies include sports and art, with my greatest achievement to date being the completion of the Edinburgh Marathon in 2005! I have previously enjoyed being an active member of the Commission for Interfaith Relations for the Diocese of Hexham and Newcastle, and I am very much looking forward to getting to know and working alongside all the faith communities in Newham.
I hope to offer all NVSC members the information and support they need to develop and initiate a variety of projects.
Newham Directory of Religious Groups - LAUNCHED
The wait is finally over and at the Newham Faith Communities Forum held on the 6th July; Ian Powell from Aston Mansfield launched the Newham Directory of Religious Groups.
Funded jointly by Newham Voluntary Sector Consortium and Aston Mansfield, the directory is a comprehensive directory listing religious groups in Newham. The format enables the user to cross reference groups and provides information on groups listed by faith and denomination and by area.
The directory includes information on groups that use languages other than English, groups offering support and counselling, groups offering education and training, groups offering activities for young people, elderly people and groups serving disadvantaged or vulnerable people.
There is also extensive information on venues for hire in the borough. This vast amount of information ensures that the directory is of use to all organisations, forums, agencies and individuals in Newham. One copy is free to each organisation that appears in the directory, additional copies cost £10.99.
To order a copy of the directory or for further information please contact Aston Mansfield Community Involvement Unit on 020 8519 2244.
Newham ChangeUp - designed to improve voluntary, community and faith sector infrastructure.
Newham ChangeUp now has it's own dedicated website, visit:
www.newhamchangeup.info
Log on to find out about the Newham Infrastructure Development Plan, Partners contact details and new developments.
The following resources have been produced by ChangeUp partner organisations and will be available online:
* Directory of Local Infrastructure Organisations: Services provided,
contact and referral details.
* Space to Deliver: A written and web-based information resource on suitable rental property, incl. shared space within community and private premises in Newham.
* Governance: Model Induction plan for trustees and website to help find trustees
* Volunteer recruitment and management: Volunteering policies and procedures.
For further information please contact Renate Ruether-Greaves, ChangeUp
Co-ordinator on 020 8522 5359 or email renate@nvsc.org.uk
Community Forum Annual General Meeting dates
Do you want take action and make positive changes in your community?
Now is the chance to nominate yourself for your Community Forum's Steering Group. Nominations close 1-week before each meeting and new members will be chosen at the AGMs.
To get a registration form call 0800 519 4015, email community.forums@newham.gov.uk or pick up a copy from your local Library, Community Centre or Service Centre. All community members are encouraged to come to their AGM and select their Steering Group. Dates as follows:
Beckton - 5.9.06 (7pm - 9pm) @ Beckton Community Centre
Custom House & Canning Town - 28.9.06 (7pm - 9pm) @ Cundy Community Centre
East Ham - 20.9.06 (7pm - 9pm) East Ham Town Hall
Forest Gate - 26.9.06 (7pm - 9pm) @ Field Community Centre
Green Street - 26.9.06 (7pm - 9pm) @ Katherine Rd Community Centre
Manor Park - 28.9.06 (7pm - 9pm) @ Greenhill Centre
Plaistow - 25.9.06 (6.30pm - 8.30pm) @ Youth & Community Centre, 1a Cumberland Road
Royal Docks - 20.9.09 (7pm - 9pm) @ St John's Community Centre
Stratford & West Ham - 19.9.06
(7pm - 9pm) @ Stratford Circus
Birth and Breastfeeding Support Project at Newham wins an award
Newham's Birth and Breastfeeding Support Project (BABS) has been announced as a joint winner in the All Party Parliamentary Group Maternity Awards 2006, under the category 'Inclusive Services for Disadvantaged Groups and Communities.
The BABS project links up pregnant women with a 'birth buddy', an experienced mum from their own ethnic background, to offer them one-to-one emotional and practical support during pregnancy and for up to six months after birth to support breastfeeding. This project has brought new mothers much valued support and the volunteers have gained new skills and knowledge.
The project's unique approach is aimed at improving infant health in a borough which has the second highest infant mortality rates in London and the highest birth rate in the country.
Research has shown that maintaining breastfeeding has huge health benefits. It can reduce the chance of childhood obesity, childhood cancers and can even improve a child's intelligence, while children who are artificially fed are prone to allergies, infections and long term conditions later in life.
The close support offered through the BABS project has been shown to make a real difference in maintaining breastfeeding. New mums have also benefited, as breastfeeding lowers the risk breast cancer, ovarian cancer and hip fractures.
Daniel O'Leary, BABS Project Manager, said: "We are pleased that the project has been recognised for the difference it is making to people's lives. This is validation that the BABS project is a fantastic concept and evidence of real community partnership.
"Other boroughs have expressed an interest in the scheme and in the BABS training course. The BABS team aims to develop the Buddy model into a package that can benefit future parents in Newham, whilst also providing a legacy for other boroughs to adopt."
Feedback from the APPG Executive Committee said: "We were really excited about the BABS project and felt it could be a real inspiration to others in areas with diverse ethnic communities. We also liked the way that it combined birth and breastfeeding and the friendship aspect that is so important to new parents. It really stood out from the crowd as an innovative project that needing commending."
Forthcoming events at the Community Involvement Unit, Durning Hall
Helping Third Sector Organisations to Grow
Thursday October 26th 2006,
10am – 5pm
A major conference
organised by Aston-Mansfield Community Involvement Unit for
voluntary and community groups in East London
Help a London Child
one to one support sessions – Friday 22nd September 2006 10am – 1pm
One to one advice and guidance on your application form from Help a London Child Grants Officer Rich Horsnall
Fundraising Event
Wednesday 4th October 2006,
10am – 2pm
Two sessions covering ‘Applying to the Big Lottery Fund’ and ‘Applying Successfully for Medium to Large Grant
All events will be held at Durning Hall and YOU MUST BOOK YOUR PLACE before the event.
For further information on any of these events, please contact me or to book your place, please contact Jahida on 020 8536 3807 or email jahida.khanom@aston-mansfield.org.uk
Volunteer Expenses
Following growing uncertainty for organisations on the subject of paying lunch expenses to volunteers, Newham Voluntary Sector Consortium and the Volunteer Network Centre would like to clarify the situation.
The Department of Work and Pensions has made an unexpected u-turn with its announcement that volunteers on benefits will no longer have to bear the cost of their lunchtime meal.
The announcement comes after mounting pressure from Volunteering England's "Right to Reasonable Expenses" lunch campaign, and follows news that the organisation was due to launch a protest week on 14 August.
Justin Davis-Smith, deputy chief executive of Volunteering England, the national development agency for volunteers, said:
"This is great news as it lifts a barrier to the two million volunteers on benefits who were affected by the guidance. We're delighted that the DWP has listened to the views of so many in the volunteering movement and reverted to its original position which supports the Government's aim of opening up access to volunteering to disadvantaged groups.
Alys Daines
Many of you will already know that Alys has decided to move on from her post as Manager of Healthywise. NVSC would like to publicly thank Alys for her contribution to the Voluntary Sector in Newham.
Alys championed the needs of older people in this borough, ensuring that they were very much on the map. Alys was also a valued and articulate member of the Health and Well Being Partnership Board of the LSP, never failing to seek the views and report back on issues under discussion. The wider sector and NVSC in particular will miss her eye for detail and her exceptional commitment to the Sector.
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