What is the Voluntary and Community Sector?

• Independent organisations working for social good.

• Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise.

• Neither public bodies nor private sector.

What’s the difference between voluntary and community, and

social enterprise?

• Triple bottom line

• Not about legal structures

• Over 50% income from contracts or trading

What is our unique selling point?

Reach

• The VCS engages seldom heard communities.

• Develops innovative niche services to meet specific needs.

• Builds social capital as part of its core business.

The local picture

• Over 4,000 groups across the county.

• Groups range from large charities to small community groups.

• Over 80% of the Sector has a turnover of less than £10k.

• Groups range from small self-help community groups to large-scale charitable organisations.

Big numbers small words• In 2012 Community Action surveyed over 1100groups in Derby - combined turnover totalled £136million. • Volunteering was reducing but still worth £41million.

• Groups were surveyed and:

– 65% had reductions in funding in 12-13– 87% were expecting further reductions

– 96% were expecting the same or more people to need their help.

Support Services

Support services activities supported by a

range of local support organisations split into

2 categories:

– General – 8 CVS broadly focused on local authority areas.

– Specialist – Focused on Communities of interest – Mental Health, Age, Sexuality, Rurality.

What is commissioning in the voluntary and community sector?

VCS has a role at all of these stages:

• Analysis

• Planning

• Delivery/procurement

• Monitoring and review

What is the national picture?

Photo courtesy of Isopix/Rex Features

• NAO Successful Commissioning Guide.

• Office for Civil Society - eight principles of intelligent commissioning.

• Public Services Social Value Act 2012.

• Compact.

What impact will the recent changes have?

Finish with a picture of beautiful sunny day