SOUTH LINCS CVS ACTIVITY REPORT
1st April- 30th June 09
1.
Strengthen local leadership and engage with indigenous population
1a
Small Groups development and support
In this quarter 78 organisations have been supported with support on 203 occasions including payroll
printing and CRB services. In addition 16 groups have been provided with a range of support on an
ongoing basis of these 5 have been new or emerging groups offered support around legal structures,
constitutions, and information relating to volunteering policies and procedures. A further 10 groups have
been provided with one off support and advice on specific issues.
An example includes the Special Needs Accommodation Centre (SNAC). This organisation provides quality
accommodation and learning opportunities and experiences to enhance the lives of disadvantaged groups
or individuals who are accompanied by their carers. Lincolnshire SNAC welcomes and can provide a haven
for people with diverse, severe and multiple special needs. It is situated on the perimeter of HMP North Sea
Camp Prison, and occupies five houses which a peppercorn rent is paid to the prison for. Prisoners have
assisted with the development of the site, which gave an extra dimension to the prison regime, and in 1996
SNAC became a registered charity. SLCVS has been supporting SNAC for two years now, updating their
policies/procedures, assisting in accessing funding, and most recently supporting in developing their
business plan. SLCVS has also linked SNAC with The John Fielding School (for young people with special
needs) to develop a collaborative working plan, as the school are looking to provide residential trips for
some of their pupils. Communication between the prison and SNAC has broken down due to a large staff
turnover at the prison, but SLCVS has assisted in resolving this, and a meeting between the new Governor
and Home Office officials has been set for 02nd September 2009 to discuss the future of SNAC and to
strengthen the partnership with the prison.
1b
Strategic voice and representation of the Community and Voluntary sector
Boston Area Partnership
SLCVS ensure regular participation in Boston’s Local Strategic Partnership attending wider partnership
meetings, Executive meetings as well as specific theme group meetings including Health and Well Being,
Life Long Learning and Community Cohesion Delivery Group. The aim of this participation is ensure that
the voice of the Voluntary and Community sector is heard in particular in relation to the shaping of delivery
of local services. At the Executive meeting held on 17th March 2009 it was proposed by SLCVS and agreed
that a wider partnership meeting should be devoted to raising awareness and understanding of the
Voluntary and Community sector in Boston.
SLCVS organised the event and 4 presentations were made
1. Volunteer your way back to work – Anita Behmane who moved to Boston with her family from Latvia
presented her personal experience of how volunteering had helped her to develop a wider range of
skills and experiences which she felt contributed to her successful employment with a local firm of
solicitors. Whilst volunteering Anita used her language skills to encourage greater participation in
community activities.
2. Value of Volunteering – John Hayter identified in his presentation both the economic and social
value of the voluntary and community sector in Boston.
3. A local Health Trainer presented how this exciting new project is developing in Boston providing
support to individuals who would not usually access formal health and well being services.
4. The local credit union development gave a brief update on the growing work of the service in
Boston.
2 workshops were then held aimed at sharing ideas between representatives of the local voluntary and
community sector and members of the partnership.
The workshops focussed on how the VCS support the aims of the Boston Area Partnership as well as
identifying service delivery gaps and how the VCS could support delivery.
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Potential areas of development identified:
Community Transport services in particular further development of community car schemes and vehicle
brokerage
ESOL type services
Extended support services (particularly health related)
Advice and Advocacy services
Extension of library services
Issues that arose:
Need to be aware that VCS isn’t about services for free but about the added value and wider benefits of
delivery through the sector.
Opportunities and benefits of employer supported Volunteering schemes for employers, employees and the
local community.
SLCVS reported back on the event at the next executive partnership and it was agreed that the event had
been successful in that there as a greater understanding of both the VCS and the work of the partnership.
Lincolnshire Assembly:
SLCVS are represented on the county strategic partnership, recent meetings have focussed on economic
issues. SLCVS have ensured that the needs of the 3rd sector are recognised particularly given the
increased need for key services.
Commissioning and Procurement:
One of the key issues affecting the 3rd sector is that of the commissioning and procurement of services.
Many voluntary sector organisations who currently receive grant funding for the delivery of services may
need to tender for services in the future. SLCVS are funded through European Social fund to establish
relationships with commissioners of services in order to improve and develop opportunities for the 3rd
sector. Earlier in the year a getting to grips with commissioning conference was held aimed at bringing
together both commissioners and providers of services to develop a better understanding of each others
needs. Since this event SLCVS staff have been working with the commissioners to look at good practise
issues as well as ensuring issues afectting the 3rd sector are considered as well as supporting potential
providers of services. In addition a strategic commissioning group has been established to address key
issues affecting commissioning ensuring the voice of the sector is heard. A series of key training sessions
are being developed in partnership with SLCVS and Lincolnshire County Council.
Discretionary Rate Relief :
SLCVS have represented Voluntary and Community groups and organisations on Boston Borough
Council’s task and finish group. After many months a policy has been approved which ensures that a robust
and fair policy enables equitable access to the scheme.
2.
Tackle exclusion and community tension
2b Neighbourhood Intervention Placecheck Project
SLCVS have been working in partnership with Boston Borough Counci’ls Community development team
regarding the development of neighbourhood working in key areas of Boston and more recently in delivery
of the succesfull Health and well being fund bid.
Key areas of work include:
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 Ongoing support and development of the Skirbeck area residents group including identifying
individuals to take on responsibilties within the group and addressing governance issues such as
agreeing a constitution, redefining key actions through the production of the annual report .
 Ongoing support and formation of High street residents group after the successful completion of the
walking audits of the area this work has focussed on the development of the Placecheck report and
launch.
 Support to develop the health and well being fund application.
 Participation in placecheck steering group meetings – this is enabling the successful delivery of the
achievements required for the health and well being project.
 Support with the preparation and organisation of Placeceheck key stakeholders conference planned
for 24th July
 Working with key agencies and organsations that provide services within the area to encourage and
promote working at neighbourhood level in particular with the police in order to integrate work of
police panel. And neighbourhood groups to improve effectiveness.
 Involvement of health trainers at all stages to maximise opportunities /uptake of project
2c Building bridges between different communities
In partnership with other key agencies a successful funding application has levered in funding for the
support of street parties within local areas of Boston. Preparation work has been carried with local
groups to identify appropriate areas and include the picnic on the pitch event. Concerns about closure
of streets etc have been addressed and older peoples units have been identified as potentially
succesfull places to hold such events encouraging intergenerational activities as well as inviting
members of the local communities.
3. Improve access to information and services
3a SLCVS annual questionnaire survey
The questionnaire has now been drafted after wider consultation and is ready for distribution to SLCVS
members and will be distributed to all identified groups and organisations within the area. It is hoped
that the outcome of the survey will be the subject of a wider discussion at Boston’s next voluntary sector
networking event and will shape the future delivery of SLCVS services.
3b Funding advice and information
6 funding applications have been supported 2 of which have been submitted. 3 funding applications
have been successful in this quarter totalling £116.857.50.
3c Information services
4 local groups were provided with support including Lincolnshire Association for people with disabilities
in preparation for an art exhibition and the local Wednesday group with purchasing and printing.
Support was also provided with publicity and printing for the picnic on the pitch as well Boston High
school old girls association with printing.
Across the South Lincs area 7 e-bulletins with up to date information on local regional and national
news were distributed to 437 contacts in addition to 85 individual information emails. The quarterly
newsletter is distributed to individual members and through a range of networks and distribution
centres. The website is updated fortnightly. The Who Cares directory has been completed with contact
details of voluntary groups and organisations and has been sent out
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3d Provision of Training
None held in Boston in this quarter but a 3 day inducting volunteers course has been prepared for
October as well as preparation for the Voluntary sector management course level 3 planned for
January.
Staff and Volunteers of SLCVS are also accessing the train to gain scheme which will enable them to
complete appropriate NVQ courses
3e SLCVS networking
None held in this quarter although preparation has taken place re networking meeting for July
3f Disability Access study
It was agreed by the disability forum members that the annual walkabout should be held in August
rather than earlier in the year. A Forum meeting was held to agree the proposed route, this has been
risk assessed and support given by key agencies including local PCSO support.
4. Improve the sense of civic pride and belonging
4a Volunteer development
A new Volunteer support officer was recruited and inducted and she has been making contact with a range
of volunteering organisations to identify their needs. Other events have included attendance at Boston
College foundation department events fair as well as a redundancy roadshow.and a special constable
recruitment event to promote volunteering. A county wide application has been made to Capacity builders
to further support volunteer management capacity this is particularly relevant given the significant increase
in volunteering which appears to be due to the impact of the economic recession.
Newsflash’s are regularly sent out to individual and organisations with information on current volunteering
opportunities as well as a podcast aimed at trying to reach a wider,more diverse audience.
Work has also been carried out with job centre plus in particular in relation to the introduction of the DWP
national volunteering scheme aimed at encouraging more volunteering for those that have been in receipt
of job seekers allowance for more than 26 weeks.
In Boston 123 volunteers have had an initial interview and 121 new volunteers have been registered. 148
volunteers were referred to or placed in appropriate volunteer opportunity. Because of the huge demand for
opportunities the number of current new opportunities are 10 and a further 2 new organisations have
registered requiring volunteers.
SLCVS are currently working in partnership with the other CVS services in Lincolnshire in working towards
county wide quality standard accreditation
4b Boston Community showcase
SLCVS staff have been fully involved in all of the showcase planning and preparations meetings in
partnership with key agencies such as Boston Mayflower and Boston Borough Council for the annul Boston
Community showcase event which appears to grow from strength to strength with each year. Work has
included organisation of the introduction of a parade to this years event, publicity. Risk management and
assessment has been key to smooth running of previous years events and has again been a priority this
year.. The showcase steering group itself has had to develop with growing needs including a constitution
and bank account as well a signing a service level agreement with Boston Borough Council to secure
access to funds to assist the event.
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