SSCVA Annual Review 2014-2015
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Transcript of SSCVA Annual Review 2014-2015
Improving lives and connecting
communities across
South Staffordshire Patron: Rt. Hon. Gavin Williamson
Member of Parliament for South Staffordshire
Annual Review
2014-2015
SSCVA connects, represents and
supports community and
voluntary organisations across
South Staffordshire.
Thousands of people across the
District contribute and make a
difference to the causes they
believe in through their
volunteering, helping to make
South Staffordshire a better place
for everybody.
We find great inspiration in our
180 member groups and this
helps us to champion the
voluntary sector & its volunteers
and represent their voice to key
decision makers.
We connect groups and
organisations with the people,
partners and resources that they
require to make the biggest
difference they can.
We specialise in helping groups
to secure funding, access
training courses, manage their
projects & volunteers and
provide them with the
networking opportunities they
need to build effective
partnerships.
So get in touch with us if your
community or voluntary group
needs the support we provide to
help you deliver your essential
services to improve your local
area.
About Us Established in 1986, South Staffordshire
Community & Voluntary Action has been
providing local support to South Staffordshire’s
community and voluntary sector for the best
part of 30 years.
Like many of our colleagues in the voluntary
and community sector, we have experienced
a very busy year, with a combination of
successes and challenges. Staff and Board
continued to focus on promoting our work as a
locally-focused organisation that is responsive
to the needs of the communities it serves.
Against a backdrop of increasing austerity, we
are pleased to report that we have been very
actively engaged with a wide variety of
community activity during the year, in addition
to furthering the work around our key
objectives as an infrastructure support body (to
use the jargon). This has included agreeing, in
consultation with key stakeholders, our core
activities for the coming years.
Mindful of this, we were very engaged during
the year in raising the profile of volunteering, in
particular through facilitating a well-attended
Masterclass event on the topic at the District
Council Offices. Speaking of which, we are
now well established in our new premises
there, with easier access to key strategic
partners to represent the views of local
voluntary and community organisations for the
wider benefit of all concerned.
This work has included running the ever-
popular Community Voice Forums, which
continue to provide an effective bridge
between the sector and public sector partners,
enabling groups to build their capacity and
engage more effectively in evolving initiatives
across the District.
With the ending of Lottery funding for our
CATALYST development project, we are very
active in sourcing alternative potential funding
sources for existing and new projects, not least
the key role of supporting and helping the
local sector to develop and thrive. It is
becoming increasingly difficult to secure
funding for development support to groups
and other key work areas, especially for a
small organisation dependent on a small but
professional staff.
During the year we were successful in securing
new funding from the European Social Fund
and South Staffordshire Locality Commissioning
Partnership. As a result we were able to
intensify our work with the increasing network
of Work Clubs in South Staffordshire, working
with attendees interested in accessing
volunteering opportunities to increase their skills
and knowledge, reduce social isolation and
promote overall health and wellbeing. These
are also key themes of the new Community
Support project, which received kick-start
funding during the year enabling us to run a
form of social prescribing service targeted on
those over 50 with long term health conditions
and the frail elderly.
This was a year in which we expended
considerable energies thinking about our
future role and sustainability, mindful of
NAVCA’s new report on the Future of Local
Infrastructure which gave a clear message
both that the sector has to change and adapt
to survive but also that there remains a real
need for organisations such as ours to have
core funding to be able to carry out their
mission.
We wish to record our grateful thanks to all
those who have worked with us, both in the
voluntary and public sectors, to funders who
have enabled us to continue existing and new
work during the year, and staff, Trustees and
volunteers.
David Leese Chief Officer
Rolf Levesley Chair
Welcome
improved life skills and
confidence as a result
We identified and helped to
develop 45 new community
projects in order to increase
community engagement in
South Staffordshire, almost 50%
being intergenerational.
This year we also held our 5th
Annual Celebration/Funding Fair at
Trinity Church, Codsall. 200 people
came through the doors enjoying
the activities put on by over 37
diverse voluntary and community
groups.
Gavin Williamson MP opened
proceedings and handed out over
100 certificates to volunteers
Our CATALYST team provided
development support and advice
to local voluntary & community
groups throughout South
Staffordshire. Using our skills and
expertise, we help groups to
develop, grow and become more
effective in meeting local needs.
During the lifetime of the CATALYST
Project:
We provided outreach
development support to 275
new & existing community
groups
We provided one-to-one best
practise support to 188
community groups to help them
secure more than £830,000
funding for local projects
202 community groups took part
in training needs surveys with
755 volunteers/staff discussing
their individual training needs
We provided 40 training courses
run for community groups/
volunteers/staff, including
Volunteer Management, First
Aid, and Committee Training
375 volunteers/staff undertook
CATALYST training, all reporting
Building Capacity
Building Capacity
nominated by their groups in
recognition of their hard work and
dedication.
“The whole atmosphere was great,
as was the feeling of being part of
the community”
Community Learning Trust (CLT)
This is a joint project between
Staffordshire County Council,
Colleges in Staffordshire and
Voluntary & Community
organisations interested in adult
learning.
SSCVA facilitates the South
Staffordshire Community Learning
Trust Locality Working Group (LWG).
This involves:
Looking at the needs of local
people and providing evidence
of learner needs to feedback to
the main CLT Board
Influencing County
commissioning priorities
Assisting local groups to apply
for funding from the Community
Responsiveness Fund
Acting as a broker
between providers & learners so
that identified local training
needs are met
Providing representation at the
main board level
"Staffordshire has happy, healthy,
well integrated and active
communities that learn together,
support each other, and enable all
community members to prosper
and thrive”
This year we facilitated 3 LWG
meetings where local priorities were
agreed and ways we could
influence County Commissioning
Priorities were discussed.
Did you know…
We have over 160 contacts on our
mailing list who are interested in
adult learning in South Staffordshire?
Partnership
We have a key role in providing a
voice for local groups. SSCVA
continues to facilitate a regular Third
Sector Forum attended by key
partner agencies and public sector
representatives. Progress and
developments at both District and
County level are shared and
discussed, including news on
consultations, new and evolving
services, and the work of the
Locality Commissioning Partnership
and funding provided through the
annual Prospectus.
A small steering group including
ourselves has been steadily working
towards adopting and
implementing a Compact
Networking
As usual we facilitated a wide
variety of events during the year.
These were attended by both local
community and voluntary groups
and partner organisations.
Community Voice Forums focus on
enabling groups to network and
share ideas. News and updates
from the District Council and wider
South Staffordshire Partnership are
shared and valuable feedback
encouraged and fed back.
This year we held 10 Community
Voice Forums with 338 attendees.
Topics covered included:
· The Good Life
· Healthwatch Staffordshire
· ‘My Place My Say’ Surveys
· A Compact for South Staffordshire
· Sources of funding with help and
advice available on submitting
effective applications
· Local Transport initiatives
“...it helps us be less isolated, and
makes us feel as though we are
empowered and part of the
community which in turn helps our
group members.”
Networking & Partnerships
Networking & Partnerships document for South Staffordshire.
We have also been promoting the
wider social benefits of volunteering,
not only through the work of our
volunteer centre which works with
both organisations and individuals,
but also through our work on a
volunteering strategy for the District
with a view to piloting new models
in villages where residents can be
isolated and needing support and
signposting to opportunities most
suitable for them. All of this work
needs a secure funding base, of
course, and sourcing this remains a
constant challenge.
“SSCVA is proactive and customer
focused. They listen to what you
want to do, help you clarify, go
forward and make
relationships that will help
you.”
We also represent local groups
on the South Staffordshire
Leadership Board, which
meets half-yearly. At its
December meeting we
outlined how SSCVA works at a
very grassroots level to engage
with and support the sector.
We covered a number of key
challenges such as the ageing
population, and how dedicated
development support, volunteering
initiatives and evolving work such as
the Community Support project can
help to identify and close gaps and
enhance health and wellbeing for
residents suffering social isolation
and associated ill-health.
“SSCVA can't reduce isolation on
their own but by working with the
South Staffordshire Partnership, they
join with other agencies in
proactively trying to reduce
isolation”
Outside of South Staffordshire we
developed effective working
relationships with partners in Support
Staffordshire and VAST.
Volunteering We are ready to place people in
their perfect volunteer opportunity
through our network of 100s of local
community and voluntary groups.
We also provide volunteering best
practice support and training to
groups and individuals.
This year we:
Registered 54 new people to
volunteer through our volunteer
centre and the work clubs
We placed 15 of these people
in volunteer opportunities
throughout South Staffordshire
People were also given the
opportunity to participate in some
volunteering taster sessions where
they learned about:
The benefits of volunteering
The barriers to volunteering
The myths surrounding
volunteering (such as any effect
it has on benefits such as
universal credit)
Work Clubs
We work very closely with the local
South Staffordshire Work Clubs. Our
volunteer duty officer, Jen Jones,
can be found offering advice on
how volunteering can help job
seekers gain vital skills that will help
them into employment.
What this partnership offers:
Introducing/reintroducing
unemployed people into a work
placed environment
Gain references through
volunteering with local
organisations
Making improvements to CVs
Show potential employers that
you are being proactive
Did you know…
87% of employers say that
volunteering can help with career
progression?
Supported Volunteering
This project encouraged residents
over 50, with a physical or learning
difficulty, who are unemployed or
economically inactive to volunteer
to significantly enhance their
chances of finding employment.
This year:
30 volunteers were found
suitable placements
93 participants feel more
confident in carrying out their
roles and can engage in a wide
range of tasks
86 improved on their
presentation skills
66 gained transferable skills in
CV building, IT and interview
techniques
Successes of the project
With the support of the project a
60 year old lady from abroad
was able to gain more
confidence in speaking English
and was able to move into a
volunteer role with a local carer
support charity
A 24 year old male with cerebral
palsy was referred to several
local organisations to help him
with volunteering and benefits
A 55 year old gentleman
received support from local
disability advice charities and
gained the confidence to start
volunteering himself
Community Support Project
Our Community Support
Coordinator utilises community
resources to provide social, non-
medical remedies to those over 50
with multiple complex needs,
people with a long term health
condition, the frail elderly, and
carers. This helps people to better
self-manage their illnesses and
increase their independence.
Initially our 9 month Pilot project
covered the South East Staffs &
Seisdon Peninsula area of South
Staffordshire.
During this time we received 41
Referrals from:
NHS Community Matrons &
Community Nurses
Community Council of
Staffordshire (via Village Agents
& Good Neighbour Schemes)
District Council Benefits &
Housing Office
South Staffordshire Work Clubs
South Staffordshire CAB
Self-referrals
Family & friends
What worked well?
Providing one point of contact
for beneficiaries, with a
consistent approach
Providing appointments on an
outreach basis to minimise
exclusion due to location or
mobility
An effective referral process via
phone, email and paper forms
“...with the help of the CVA we have
undertaken activities which have
helped people with learning
difficulties be better integrated into
their communities and become
valued members.”
Enhancing Health & Wellbeing
Enhancing Health & Wellbeing
The project received start-up
funding from South East Staffordshire
& Seisdon Peninsula CCG. Shortly
afterwards it received additional
funding from the South Staffordshire
Locality Commissioning Partnership.
Anne is receiving more referrals
every week and users of the service
are reporting that the Community
Support Project is helping to make a
real difference in their lives.
“...just the one visit had made a
great impact on her wellbeing.”
We have now recruited 5 volunteer
buddies to this project who provide
regular one-to-one support to the
person they have been matched
with. The buddy offers a befriending
service, where they share their time
and interests to support and reduce
isolation.
“...had it not been for the
intervention and help received from
the community support project and
Anne Ross, things would have
continued to get worse. The support
received has made such a
difference.”
If your community group or charity
has an upcoming event, some
good news you’d like people to
know about, or a volunteering
position available we would be
more than happy to publicise this
for you through our website,
fortnightly newsletter and social
media channels.
This year on Twitter:
We gained over 120 new
followers
Over 600 people visited our
profile
Our tweets were viewed over
60k times
People engaged with our tweets
over 950 times.
This included:
222 Retweets
65 Replies
122 Favourites
153 clicks on our links
Going forward we will be doing
even more promotion work for our
member groups. This will include:
Design of promotional materials
Social media training
Help in the set up and
maintenance of a basic website
This year we started sending out a
fortnightly eBulletin full of the latest
news from our member groups and
from the charity sector as a whole.
We also continue to send out our
Buzz Newsletter quarterly to all of
our member groups and partners so
don’t forget that we can advertise
your good news free of charge!
Over the last year we covered these
good news stories:
Caroline Leech, Pete Allen and
Hilary Shone, all former
volunteers, had moved into
paid employment
The launch of new projects such
as My Independence Matters
Daniel Swift, a volunteer at the
time, won the SCVYS sponsored
Young Volunteer Award at the
40th Anniversary South
Staffordshire Community Awards
Marketing
Keep Yourselves Informed &
Connected
Exclusive access to best practise
& information sheets
Sector updates through our
eBulletin and Buzz newsletter
Networking opportunities such
as our Bi-annual Community
Voice Forums
Championing Your Work
We have a successful track
record of influencing local
government on our member’s
behalf
With nearly 30 years of
experience SSCVA has a strong
voice that gets heard
Our membership contains more
than 180 diverse community &
voluntary organisations. We help
them succeed with our support and
provide the tools & knowledge for
them to better provide for their
communities.
Develop Your Skills
Fundraising
Governance
Volunteer Support &
Management
Social Media
Delivery of Services
Raise Your Profile
We have years of experience of
helping you to get your group’s
name out there and letting people
know what you do.
Our Buzz Newsletter was sent out
to over 400 groups and partners
Our website had over 2000
unique visitors
We have over 700 Twitter
followers
Membership
Our Trustees
Rolf Levesley
I was CEO of South Staffordshire Council
until I retired in 2009. Currently I chair
South Staffordshire Housing Association
and am a Non Executive Director at
Shropshire Community Health Trust. I also
Chair the charity Friends of Conakry
Refugee School.
Councillor Brian Edwards
I was first elected to South Staffordshire
Council in 1983 and have represented the
Kinver ward ever since. I was elected to
Staffordshire County Council in May 1989
and have represented the Kinver Division
for the last 26 years. I was Chairman of
the Finance committee for 16 years and
also Chairman of the Council in 1993. I
became Leader of the Council in 2005. I
have served on many committees and
currently Chair the Prosperous
Staffordshire Select Committee.
Carol Hurley
I am Vice Chair of SSCVA Board of
Trustees and have been on the Board for
many years. I also Chair the HR sub
committee. I live in Wombourne and am
a retired Head teacher. I am a Board
member on South Staffordshire Housing
Association and sit on a panel for Mental
Health Hearings for The Black Country
Partnership Foundation Trust and Dudley
and Walsall Healthcare Trust.
Councillor Mary Bond
I have been a Trustee of SSCVA for almost
2 years. I am also a Trustee of other
charitable/voluntary organisations,
including the South Staffordshire Work
Clubs. Prior to retiring I was a freelance
Business Finance Adviser and,
immediately prior to that, was the
Finance Director of a business in
Wolverhampton. I have been a South
Staffordshire District Councillor for nine
years and am currently the Cabinet
Member for Environmental Services.
Councillor Henry Williams
I have enjoyed my last 12 months with
SSCVA and I have been able to recruit a
number of voluntary organizations in the
District and provide access to funding for
them. I am the County Chairman of the
Royal British Legion in Staffordshire and I
represent Kinver on the District Council
and I am the Chairman of the Parish
Council in Kinver.
Kay Bates
I have been a Trustee for just over 12
months. I have worked in both the private
and public sector and now run my own
business, a butchers, in Coven, South
Staffordshire.
Phil Cooper
I joined the Council in 1997 as Head of
Accountancy and Financial Services and
served the last 10 years as Director of
Finance. I currently volunteer for the
Canal and River Trust one day a week
and have taken on treasurer/auditor jobs
for a number of voluntary organisations
including, latterly, the SSCVA.
Our Team David Leese
Chief Officer
Louise Baker
Admin & Finance Officer
Ros Burton
CATALYST Development Officer
Jen Jones
Volunteer Duty Officer
Anne Ross
Community Support Coordinator
Daniel Swift
Promotions & Social Media Officer
Emily Simmonds
Community Support Coordinator
(Currently on maternity leave)
Margaret
Community Support Project
Administration Volunteer
Sue
Community Support Project
Admin & Volunteer Buddy
Sonja
Community Support Project
Volunteer Buddy
Gill
Community Support Project
Volunteer Buddy
David
Community Support Project
Volunteer Buddy
Jackie
Community Support Project
Volunteer Buddy
Helen
Community Support Project
Volunteer Buddy
South Staffordshire Community & Voluntary Action is a Company Limited by Guarantee in England and Wales.
Registered Number: 4388223.
Registered Office: c/o South Staffordshire District Council, Wolverhampton Road, Codsall, South Staffordshire, WV8 1PX.
Charity Registration Number: 1093899.
South Staffordshire Community & Voluntary Action
c/o South Staffordshire District Council
Wolverhampton Road | Codsall
South Staffordshire | WV8 1PX
01902 851675
www.sscva.org.uk