Voluntary Sector Forum

5th March 2014

Today’s agenda

Speed Updates Workshop on influencing and decision

making Chance to network

North Somerset grants programme to enable local groups to access their “fair share” of Quartet funding from moneys held for the benefit of North Somerset communities

Pilot social needs analysis project in 2013-14 highlighted three areas of concern: young people, older people, and mental health

Grant guidelines introduce outcomes and priorities for funding

Apply under normal Express Fund procedure; decisions will involve Quartet’s North Somerset Committee

Programme open from 1st April – 5th June, decisions expected July 2013

Quartet Community Foundation encourages philanthropic giving to support local causes and manages charitable funds on behalf of a wide range of donors, including families, companies, charitable trusts and statutory bodies. We manage over 200 named funds – revenue & endowment – and give grants from £500 - £50,000

More information visit: www.quartetcf.org.uk; follow Quartet on Facebook & Twitter; or phone 0117 989 7700/01934 641965

North Somerset Grants Programme2014-15

VANS - Consultation response North Somerset Council budget 2014-17

Moral and economic case to NOT reduce VCSE organisations’ budgets – the most disadvantaged people + prevention is cheaper than cure

Asked for clarity on which organisations will be affected

Asked for clarity on: Supporting People contract reductions; ‘all new VCS contracts to be reduced by 5%’; what ‘commissioning efficiencies’ means; how Social Value Act will be used; how joint commissioning with NHS will work; urged not to reduce Community Transport

Reply from Peter Sloman, Head of Financial Management - our response will be considered – we will keep asking for feedback

Victims Commissioning Intentions – Police and Crime Commissioner

Good to see recognition of small, community based services as part of future delivery model

PCC’s intentions recognise need for capacity building of the VCSE sector before the commissioning and procurement process takes place to give local or small VCSE organisations a fair chance

VANS - encourages the PCC to consider a ‘Commissioning Grants’ approach

Local Enterprise Partnership

Strategic Economic Plan for all of West of England Very little on Social Enterprise or Social Purpose

organisations = a huge gap If jobs and growth are the LEP’s priority, then much more

attention needs to be paid to Social Inclusion to help vulnerable/disadvantaged people onto the pathway towards employment

The VCSE sector is the expert sector in Social Inclusion! This plan overlooks what an important driver of economic

growth our sector is

VANS’ work with the Local Enterprise Partnership

Engaging with LEP since Spring 2013 as ‘West of England infrastructure organisations’ group

Consulted with VSF in September 2013 Met with LEP Chief Exec in October 2013 November 2013 – Our group suggested that £3.8 million European

Union Social Inclusion money is match funded by Big Lottery – LEP agreed this

This will mean £7.6million total over 6 years for West of England – 80% of which has to go to VCSE organisations (Big Lottery criteria)

We will work to ensure North Somerset VCSE organisations can bid for this funding to result in innovative work locally to make Social Inclusion happen

A Celebration of Excellence in Community Care

Hear from National key note speakers including:

•Mike Farrah•The CEO of National Voices •And……more to be confirmed

Discover more about NSCP and the difference we have made in North Somerset when it comes to:

•Quality health services•Delivering value for money •Working in partnership

Save the date: May 8th at the Winter Gardens, Weston-super-MareFor more info and to book email: communications@nsomersetcp-cic.nhs.uk

Winter Action Network• A chance to identify where the real problems

during winter are for your service users, and an opportunity to input into combating them alongside others

• Exclusive, free capacity building sessions for your organisation.

• Potential for new partnerships and/or income.

• Exclusive access to a Volunteer Bank, run by VANS.

The Women’s ProjectFor Women Affected by Domestic Abuse in North Somerset

• Who are we:• We are a local charity, set up in 1993.• Since 1997 we have worked to promote awareness of domestic abuse and helped create services for

women and children in the area.• We are funded by a reliance on donations, fundraising and grants.

• What we do: • Counselling - We offer a free counselling service specifically focused on female victims of domestic abuse

in North Somerset.• Emergency Funds – we can help with small amounts of money/ food vouchers when needed in leaving a

violent situation.• We can direct you to the right agency when you are/ have been affected by domestic abuse.

• How you can help• Our Management Committee meets monthly, we do our own fundraising, awareness and grant

applications. We welcome any support that people can give us.• To make a difference in another woman’s life sometime all it takes is a minimal gift of your time and

resources.

WWW.WOMENSPROJECT.CO.UK

State of the Sector report

The North Somerset VCSE sector: Employs 3333 full time staff and 3878 part time staff61,160 volunteer hours per week = monetary value of £23,699,338 per year if paid Living wage

Organisation’s average income is £142,851

Our sector is 2.5 times more likely to depend on alternative income (eg donations or fundraising) than on the public purse

Lots more facts – please take away a copy!

North Somerset LGBT Forum (Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender)• Aim – to provide a voice

for the LGBT community in North Somerset and to be the ‘go-to’ organisation for LGBT matters within this locality

• LINKS – Businesses and organisations; students; staff forums

Projects in 2014:•Health and Social Care •Rainbow in Recovery•Pride Event •Forum meets last Friday of the month in the Badger Centre•Contact: nslgbtforum@gmail.com

Please remember…

This is your Voluntary Sector Forum Let us know if you would like to promote or

talk about anything in future VSFs