developing a sector led plan for norfolk - consultation events full responses
TRANSCRIPT
1
Responses in full
As part of our commitment to transparency, this document provides a full report of the feedback
people gave us at the eight workshop events on developing a Sector Led Plan for Norfolk.
ISSUES
These bar charts show the priority issues listed at each event. Where there were more than ten, it
shows the first ten (or more if a number of issues were mentioned the same number of times). For
the sake of space, the bar charts showing ‘all issues’ include those mentioned twice or more at that
event.
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Dereham - priority issues
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Dereham - all issues
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Fakenham - priority issues
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sFakenham - all issues
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Kings Lynn - priority issues
Count
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Kings Lynn - all issues
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North Walsham - priority issues
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ervi
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North Walsham - all issues
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Norwich - priority issues
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101520253035404550
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Norwich - all issues
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Poringland - priority issues
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1015202530
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Poringland - all issues
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Thetford - priority issues
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Thetford - all issues
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101520253035
Voluntary Sector Forum - priority issues
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0102030405060
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Voluntary Sector Forum - all issues
Count
7
WHAT WORKS – SERVICES
Dereham
What works well at the moment? What would you like to change in future?
Voluntary transport sector (/just bits) Improving rural transport to address rural isolation
Guide dogs Not enough new volunteers
Current volunteers Possible duplication of services
Amount of current charities Parts of DPA
Adult education Funding to meet need
Children’s services
Norse is not up to the job
West Norfolk Community Transport works well
King’s Lynn
What works well at the moment? What would you like to change in future?
Willingness to work together to share resources in King’s Lynn in adult services
Young people’s services. Lack of willingness to work with other YP groups. Competition vs complimenting re resources
Diversity Improved access to information
Dedicated people providing essential services to vulnerable people
Inclusive policy for all members of society
Time credits Recruit more volunteers especially younger. More work with schools and college
Forums that offer discussions/consultations Affordable venues
WNVCA!!/momentum and other infrastructure organisations
More integrated approach to service delivery
Lots of evidence of good practice – however…. …..Better promotion of good practice in the area
Lot going on in urban King’s Lynn Difficulty in obtaining information as individual
Not a lot outside King’s Lynn if not online –
Fakenham
What works well at the moment? What would you like to change in future?
There are a lot of good community centres and buildings in Norfolk
Transport – co-ordinated, frequency, affordable and reliable (public and commissioned)
Appetite for working in partnership in Norfolk (/+ more locally)
Not all buildings are accessible with regard to times or costs (/or known about. Often lacking facilities eg wifi)
Lots going on in voluntary sector in Norfolk Localised services either geographically or demographics work best (some people have very good bus services on main routes). Joined up working between transport providers
Youth Advisory Boards Wheelchair accessible public transport needs to increase
Some great examples of services and good practice. Centres of excellence.
Partnership working not necessarily attractive to commissioners as can be costly to provide
Better ways of sharing [good practice], can it be a transferable model
8
services town orientated
Too much emphasis on Norwich for services
Good local provision of VCS Better knowledge of each other’s services
Willingness to work together Basic education provision in the community ie English, numeracy etc now very poorly served
A lot of enthusiastic people Better use of funding – shared costs
Pro-active, needs led, creative, solution led Improved communication of services available
Play provision for young children works well No wrong door – need to be able to refer to other orgs if your service is not appropriate for client needs
Family support Central funding pot for training and shared learning from statutory (NCC, WNKLBC, CCG)
Childcare support Transport and infrastructure needs improvement to reduce isolation.
Language support for children Provision for teenagers lacking urban and rural
Voluntary/charity services in West Norfolk Substance misuse support for families
Wide spectrum of overall services Language for adults very limited
Recycling Better rural public transport (more frequency, later and weekends)
Borough Council Communication
Policing – diversity and hate crime PCSO’s overall policy
Somewhere to find out about support/services available
WNVCA IT training for people to access information
Community transport Encouragement for volunteering from a younger age, ie at primary school
KLFM More equality for those in rural areas; more organisations to do outreach
Discovery centre Comm transport more buses
Surestart PIP assessment – based at Peterborough – public transport not sufficient
Vancouver Centre PCSOs could work better. More police officers needed as not enough integration
More for youths to do to deter crime
More volunteers to enable social inclusion
More youth clubs
North Walsham
What works well at the moment? What would you like to change in future?
Local newspapers Mobile and broadband communications
Churches Transport in rural areas
Electronic communication Housing in rural areas
Voluntary and community organisations Services provided based on need not budget
Refuse services Youth services (almost zero at present in rural areas)
Careline services Statutory services to meet their obligations
Parish councils Crisis services not working well
Local community hospitals Mental health services
Quality of life What we grow – less oil seed rape!
Low crime rate Review parish councils – quality not quantity
9
Library services – community friendly Higher awareness of dementia – needs of all
Good choice of shops Improvement/creation of transport in rural areas
Friendly communities Fuel poverty/rural deprivation
Low pollution Better education/school improvements
Good community spirit
Villages/towns friendly
Norwich
What works well at the moment? What would you like to change in future?
Lots of passion Improved education across the board
Services when and where needed, and the right service
Improved communication (technology) (/??hard copy; word of mouth; using appropriate source of communication for your group)
“Community” understanding of needs in the community
Better use of social media to highlight issues
Good neighbours(hood) Joint working – collaboration across sectors (facilitate merger)
Local organisations already on the ground Include private sector (social care) in strategic planning
Transport
Age UK support More support for rural communities
Door to door Clarify what is VCS infrastructure
NHS Healthcare services Transport support and subsidy for the elderly (rural and urban)
Prescription delivery Set up a panel of experts for specific problems
Assessment of properties for the elderly ie funding wet room (DFGs)
Provision of mental health care services
Day centres (always have) Standards of home care service (haphazard)
Dementia friendly cafes Engaging with ethnic minorities, LGBT
Development officer
Admiral nurses (currently round Dereham; provide support to carers of dementia sufferers)
Lots of good organisations exist and provide good work
Needs better connections and communication
Existing provider networks – vol sector led (mental health provider forum; learning difficulties; Norfolk community advice network)
Need to be maintained
New facilities building through care farms – providing support to wide range of service users – universal LD/mental health/dementia/NEET’s/long term unemployed/young people/older people
Requires sustainability eg. Development support; cross agency commissioning (CCGs/ICT integrated commissioning teams); raising awareness and communication country-wide eg farming on prescription
Shared concerns amongst VCO’s on the profound impact of welfare reforms and benefit cuts
Health and wellbeing boards need to factor this in to their priorities
Contract and subcontracting from NCC CCGs need to consider commissioning services to counteract effects of poverty and inequalities (ref. Tackling poverty – King’s Fund report)
Take on board wider benefits of social model approach eg care farms and other projects –
10
welfare rights. Positive activities (strong roots; bicycle links; sweet arts; green gym; thalia theatre co.)
More honesty and openness
Poringland
What works well at the moment? What would you like to change in future?
Churches (eg food bank) Knowing how to get help and information
Fire brigade Not necessarily on the internet (/lots of agreement)
Sure start (working with younger people) Councils stop wasting money (/sweeping statements!)
Parish councils Social services (/sweeping statements!)
Time Norfolk (stops families falling apart) Constant change of council personnel is inefficient
Mind Greater provision of services for 25-65 year old/working age population – less rigidity about age and more flexibility in relation to need
Autism Anglia and all other support groups Direct links between population and all services. Head count in relation to increasing population.
Harleston information plus Some smaller organisations to merge/close to be more effective/efficient as they have outlived their purpose – collaborate not compete
Waste collection and recycling Governance model needs to change – eg executive board rather than unskilled volunteer trustees
“Good” is coordinated services for people – 1 person to hold the responsibility eg Early Years Prevention Programme in South Norfolk who are working with challenged families could work
More discussion between all ages
Continuity (short term) Red tape
Sustainability (short term) Continuity (long term)
Easy to use service (voluntary sector) Sustainability (long term)
No waiting times Waiting times
The charities that are out there (in Norfolk) Strategic thinking
Choice Development succession/education
Increased innovative and partnership working, coming in to fill gaps – increased creativity
Too much management and management info
Responsiveness to short-term change and opportunities
Knowledge of what charities are out there
Too much choice in some areas, limited in others (thematic and geographical)
Lack of funding, reducing job descriptions and salaries = higher churn of staff and reducing quality of service delivery
Loss of preventative services. More crisis and resource-heavy work
Accessibility especially to GP’s and 9-5 services for people at work/in full-time training.
11
Under-resourced.
Thetford
What works well at the moment? What would you like to change in future?
Village hall (amenities)/group activities and website
Transport with major towns etc
Oil consortium Increase amenities to meet future planned development
Play area Not universal/postcode lottery (ref play area)
Broadband Mobile service(s) poor in rural areas
Communications – newsletter, parish website (none at present)
Parish website (in progress)
Community relations/spirit Involvement of younger age groups
Medical facilities
Increase surgery availability and for increase in ageing population
Education for young people Joined up working
Connexions used to work well Connexions withdrawn/changed
Communication – mobile signal abysmal in rural areas
Planning requires more communication and clarity/involvement/enforcement (conditions)
Policing suffering – public disillusionment
Positive activities and infrastructure for young people
Some good, local services and volunteers Improve people’s awareness of available support – information hub?
Make access to available professionals/volunteers easier
Voluntary Sector Forum, Momentum (Norfolk)
What works well at the moment? What would you like to change in future?
Consistency Need long term approach across the county
Respond to need Limiting bureaucracy in providing services whilst keeping them safe
Well organised/structured Protection
Listen to young people and families Real focus on prevention (not lip service)
Research/evidenced – funded Proper recognition of the services available
Local response to need Fully address the elephant in the room which is competitive tendering so we can build positive partnership and consortium
Prevention To not be told yet another funding cut is an opportunity!
Providing services when needed (not waiting lists)
A change in the interface between public sector and voluntary sector so we are equal partners in all aspects of the commissioning cycle
Build on existing services, not starting from scratch
County-wide – not postcode lottery
Some good local communication Networking and communicating between
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services
Lots of local expertise Slower changes, staffing and strategies, more consistency
Some really good local community groups More local/relevant, rather than national, sweeping strategies and policies
Some good examples of service user engagement and member led organisations that can be used as models of best practise
Better communication across the sector
A variety of services available Certain amount of “unknown”
Good service provider support network Availability/user-friendliness especially with generic services
Variety Lack of capacity
Flexibility Duplication
Needs-led approach
Specialist knowledge
Motivated staff, volunteers and service users led by “vocational” attitudes
13
WHAT WORKS – INFRASTRUCTURE
Dereham
What works well at the moment? What would you like to change in future?
Active Norfolk Communication between organisations – websites, newsletters
Royal Yachting Org. Breakfast meetings for voluntary sector – networking
NRCC Business support
Voluntary Norfolk Single point of contact (SPOC)
Equal Lives – Disabilities
National Lottery
Breckland Council funding
NCTA
Julian Trust/Support
Norfolk Community Foundation
King’s Lynn
What works well at the moment? What would you like to change in future?
Information about events
Availability of giant toys to borrow and equipment loan and office support
Ball missing from giant skittles (in giant toys to borrow)
Funding advice Poor success rate of volunteer recruitment
Accounts verification Physical location
General financial management and support Something to replace connexions
Volunteer advertising and recruitment Better funding for infrastructure organisations
Social media assistance Making our website usable by mobile app
DBS checks Fundraising courses eg FS1
Fakenham
What works well at the moment? What would you like to change in future?
Some of the specialist support Need for generalist across county – free or low cost
WNVCA – generally good Not enough development worker support across county (/not always known about)
Youth Advisory Boards Structure/mechanism to improve communication
Voluntary Norfolk support for payroll, advertising etc.
Volunteer database – live dbs that could be shared to support small organisations
Voluntary Norfolk joined up service Accessibility of information of services provided- Care Act/portal information
Mental Health provider forum support
Norfolk Police and Crime Commission website where you can add details of your service/organisation
Heron website
Norfolk Insight
CAB one stop shop (although under-resourced)
14
Ready made policies – reduce time Grant making courses
Momentum/WNVCA/RCC excellent support provided
More specific trainings – legacies and trusts
Meetings/consultations/discussions by infrastructure orgs
Networking events
Good support from funders Partnership working
Help with HR/payroll Need to be better at telling local organisations we are here and what we actually do
STOP PRESS! WNVCA location of office – better close/in town centre?
Health and safety training Better promotion of VCA services and projects
DBS checks More overt communications around strategic development
Policies Monthly newsletter could highlight VCA members – projects activities etc. This could promote collaboration between members.
Funding news and clinics More networking opportunities with stat. bodies – like today
Stop press – it’s brilliant! ¼ meetings – networking led by WNVCA (like CCG provider meetings) but for all V/C groups – perhaps under special interest heading
Knowing the support is there when needed More occasions where VCS invited to discuss issues eg workshops or focus groups to enable contribution to strategic development
Website Undertake training needs analysis and manage delivery
Do-It
Support services
Social media training
Equipment bank
Good local knowledge
Flying the West Norfolk flag
Good relationships with CCG and local council, NCC
Good reputation and respect as a voice for the sector
Good quality training
Communication – Stop Press
Fundraising advice
Training
Equipment loan
Policy and procedures template
Information and funding library
Admin and payroll services
Volunteering service and “Do it”
North Walsham
What works well at the moment? What would you like to change in future?
Number of volunteers charities willing to help Easy accessibility and guidance to funding
15
sources
Funding central website Improved communication and information
Easily available information Clear and simple means of setting up a small charity organisation
Huge diversity Sustainable funding
Value/satisfaction of volunteering for all ages and benefit for all
Access to funding
Less rules and regulations
Rural isolation young/old
Community transport
Norwich
What works well at the moment? What would you like to change in future?
VCS are ahead of commissioners in terms of new and different ways of working
Need help from Norfolk RCC to identify correct person to talk to at Norfolk CC
Centralised CRB (eg: Vol Norfolk) Interface between VCS and NCC. Knowledge of structural tree at NCC
Nothing (/we disagree) Streamlining of process
Enthusiasm/commitment Facilitate partnerships to put VCS in best position to get funds such as EU £
Ideas Help with commissioning or getting commission-ready
Locally focused Much more emphasis on cooperation rather than competition. Change the way we’re funded
Some good functions Too many charities – competing with each other
Backroom services Funding timescales often prevent any possibility of partnership
Information sharing, especially about events Large organisations representing small ones – can be challenging if large organisation needs more money to survive – they end up competing against the very people they represent
Survival of the VCS Vol sector slowly being professionalised but then they should be paid. Just “cheap solution”
More diverse funding streams available Central hub for specialist information and advice
Willingness to support VCS – eg volunteers Centralised support, economy of scale
Willingness to work together/combine resources Training
Multi-agency working Governance advice
Structures are in place Accountability on all sides
We must have engagement – clinical/social/education
Open and transparent funding
Focus on beneficiary Raise awareness of services
Finding the joint passion Communication – language barriers ie: using abbreviations
Flexibility in approach Networking event
Broker partnerships between the local groups Regular feedback and celebrate success
Up the appreciation and celebration of the voluntary sector
More forums (inc online)/meetings to encourage and promote sharing of practices/services/etc. inc support with specific issues (ie volunteer management, equal opps etc)
Keeping information accessible and up to date
16
Being prepared to share information between agencies
An informed voice of reason within the council
Increase collaboration where multi-agency work is taking place around individuals
Identify models that work/sharing good practice
Smaller organisations find this very complicated and difficult to join up (Chinese whispers – information gets lost and fragmented)
Making legislation real
Preferred methods you communicate with us
Need help from
Identify experts by experience who are willing to be contacted for influencing etc.
Contacts list/electronic networking for skills, support and resources exchange. “Does anyone know X”; “does anyone have Y”. Conference calling on specific issues
Influence local businesses for involvement in community
Streamlining the process
Encouraging neighbour support
Poringland
What works well at the moment? What would you like to change in future?
Lots of information Increased visibility
If you know about it and access it generally services and support very good
Possible concerns about conflicts of interest, do all members have a shared voice
Support from Momentum when a member More publicity about support available
Support from Voluntary Norfolk when a member More support for groups for elderly
NRCC grant search Better communication from councils
VCS co-ordinating the different forums and interest groups across the sector eg MH forum directory
Thinking outside of Norwich – location is an issue, eg meetings held outside of the city
Voluntary Norfolk (support on business side) Named contact person who is an expert at the local authority
Support organisations who understand specialisms
Specialist services available to smaller charities (Treasurer role eg)
Central resource for governance/policies/procedures
Social media guidance/support for small charities
Thetford
What works well at the moment? What would you like to change in future?
As a Youth project being supported by momentum, training, support with policies and DBS safeguarding, link worker having a ‘person’
Having this kind of support (momentum link worker) in other areas across voluntary sector
17
Many voluntary organisations get little or NO support at all!
Better communication systems
NCF – supports v. organisations well Making support more ‘personal’ rather than impersonal
NRCC – supports v. organisations well Support for acquiring funding
BDC – generally good other than planning More input to local plans – less “sausage” effect
NCC – generally ok Calendar of training events – needs to be published more in advance
Benjamin Foundation Develop collaborative training programme
Training – good
HR Support/DBS – good
Sustrans. Not using infrastructure
Home-start Breckland and South Norfolk. Not using infrastructure
Voluntary Sector Forum, Momentum (Norfolk)
What works well at the moment? What would you like to change in future?
Better turn out Forum reps need to attend and/or feedback
NCC reps (relevant) attend Report back on the sector led plan
Most positive meeting for a long time Good practice sharing
Relevant agenda Identifying gaps vs offering services
Timing works well quarterly More brokering
Partnership delivery working well “Market place” on website offering services/resources/volunteers/staff/venues/gear/expertise
Networking opportunities Raise profile of voluntary sector to senior level
“Youth work networking events” NCC reps to re-attend and report back, “you said, we did”
We do have some representation Clarify roles of reps – expectations and boundaries
There are good reps Support with fundraising applications and sourcing
Support organisations, training, networking, advice
Building capacity in the sector
Information sharing – distribution, forums for discussion
Engaging as a group with statutory organisations
Ability to bring together diverse participation
Assistance with coordination and awareness of resource sharing opportunities
Supports networking More strategic, cohesive approach to representation of sector and information sharing (as discussed today)
“Back office” support Need to know what each other do, who to go to ie. Voluntary Norfolk and Norfolk RCC
Training support Needs assessment for training, workforce development
Stimulates discussion, puts collaboration, consultations, networking very firmly on the agenda
More cross sector conferences
People to bounce ideas off and get more information
What difference are we making (by today)
Newsletters, important information will come through
Charity needs on meetings, what outcomes are we wanting to achieve
Exclusive to voluntary sector, volunteering, jobs
Online forum, post questions/responses/sharing knowledge/accessible for all/shared
Help feel connected to a wider sector,
18
less alone
Aids partnership, avoids duplication
Quality back room services – specialists
Training
Cross sector conferences (but we need more of these)
Informal opportunities to build contacts and relationships
Partnerships
19
BUILDING THE RIGHT INTERFACES
Dereham
Interest specific emails
Webinars/web chat rooms
Events calendar
Database of voluntary organisations
Practical training/thematic/workshops
Fakenham
Mix of mediums
Right “headline”
Real purpose to communication
Targeted to right audience
People take responsibility to make communication two-way
Simplified information with main bullet points – option to then read fuller version
Information to the relevant person. Appropriate groups/people are involved
Small thematic focus groups with a lead person to contact if unable to attend. (Ambassador
link if I am not confident in speaking up in group – may feel out of depth in a larger group)
(small voluntary group leaders)
Networking market places to gain deeper understanding of what each organisation does
King’s Lynn
Use a range of communication methods: meetings, internet
Does it demonstrate impact and influence? The test.
Bi-annual meeting like this one, as long as numbers allow
Don’t meet for the sake of it
Find minority groups and go to them; they decide when, where and how
Develop ambassadors to engage smaller groups
Ensure people are kept up to date with process by email
Get on local TV and in papers
Hear: answers to questions, what other groups are planning that may affect my group. Say:
my needs, my problems, my vision. How: regular / face to face
Variety of forums depending on matters being discussed
Shared goals – need to be reached together and results known by all
Do with us not to us
Dissemination and recognition of results
Involvement of key individuals – movers and shakers (national and local)
Tick boxes: question answered, advice given, decision made, needs recognised, contact
people identified.
North Walsham
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Progress updates via email newsletter format
Training programs eg how to produce a bid
More use of plain English
Volunteer sector representation at council meetings
Directory of (possible) funders. Outline areas & criteria. Website and hard copy
“Directed ideas” blog and facilitate meetings
System at NRCC to accept ideas/suggestions from outside
Increase quality of education – school children and the wider community around the NRCC
Promote greater use of village halls
CCGs from the 4 corners of Norfolk to communicate and work together
Raise awareness of fuel bulk buys etc through parish councils
Don’t ignore us!
Focused messages – bulleted
Local targeting of organisations for networking
Thematic events for same sectors for networking
Newsheets
Bring back community champions!
Breckland – handyman scheme, like SNDC
Sharing success stories
Norwich
Prior to meeting email supportive material to be considered (or post)
Accessibility to organisation(s)
Clinics for discussion of a specific issue
Accessibility, availability, advice, action, avoid unnecessary talk
Frequent information bulletins about events/forums/projects
Accessing information remotely: conferencing calling, web cams, social media
Disseminating lists of attendees at events – also be included on all distribution lists for
information sharing
Make use of existing VCS strategic networks and forums – raise the profile of these
Take the ‘best placed’ people approach to representation – utilise expertise from VCS
Strengthen feedback to VCOs working in areas of specialism/geographic
Primarily events should be themed but geographic factors are equally important – locality
working/rurality issues
Identifying people with experience/expertise who can be contacted
‘Alterts’ inviting you to join in with discussing/consulting
Online forum so a quick ‘help’ and can have fairly immediate and varied responses
Knowing about/having opportunities to voice concerns/opinions BEFORE it gets to
policy/tender level; time to research/involve communities and service users
Poringland
Networking meetings can be very useful around topics eg how services organised for group x
Quarterly (no more frequently)
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Norfolk – large area so easier to have forums in geographical sectors
Networking meetings – important to have continuity of personnel at these meetings
Regular meetings (networking groups) with link to appropriate action group with specific
questions
Being pointed in the right direction
E-mail options
Send information and let us decide if it is relevant
Varying on types of media (post, email, websites)
Joint responsibility for up to date contact details
“Gatherings” good for networking – themed reason to attend
Opportunity to attend – is good
New ideas from open minds in organising events
Short, structured and relevant events
Task and finish – with the right people
Focus information to targeted groups/members. This involves member profiling ie large,
medium, small, charity, social enterprise, industrial/provident, eligibility criteria. Ask
members what type of services delivered/contracts held.
Targeted forums and work groups based on member profiles
Improved openness and transparency of selection processes – who sits on which forum. No
‘closed door’ ‘exclusive’ forums/groups
Short, sharp – to the point
Join up communication
Better to have too much info rather than too little
Thetford
Getting statutory organisations/+V.O. to take some ownership for communicating/working
together promoting what is out there
Database of similar voluntary organisations
“One stop” vol sector user friendly website with policy help and who can help us with this
issue – who else has this as an issue/can help
Key individuals in all organisations vol/stat/private to take ownership for improving
communications across organisations
Communication tends to improve and be more effective when this happens. In rural
communities it’s all about building meaningful relationships – having a ‘name and a face’
“Support needs” around helping V.O. to promote what they do, and to build relationships
“Sharing stories” the more you are able to do this the more people feel the relevance of
CONNECTING
Written in a format which can be understood by “man in street”
Less “buzz” phraseology, more basic English
More ‘hands on’ communication – meetings, seminars, radio/TV presentations
Danger of being swamped by electronic media. Personal contact better
Should be topic based in the main
We need to hear that NCC has:
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o Clear, sustained vision and strategic plan
o Stable staffing so we know who to contact
o Commitment to keeping partner organisations in the voluntary sector updated and
informed
o Manage party politics effectively