Regional Forum News

Sector's big ideas on Big Society

Wed, 08 Sep 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Big Society Consultation 6 September 2010 St George's Centre, Leeds. Over 50 people from a wide range of voluntary, private sector and other organisations attended a consultation on the Big Society in Leeds on 6th of September, organised by Yorkshire & the Humber Forum. Please find below copies of the speech given by Andrew Fellowes from ACEVO, and the presentation given by Mark Crowe from the Forum. You can also see a draft version of the 'Big Society Manifesto' which will be further informed by the views and opinions of those attending the consultation event.

Commissioning and procurement: great ideas from a buzzing conference

Tue, 27 Jul 2010 00:00:00 +0100

The Forum is coordinating the way forward for a number of ideas on commissioning and procurement from its conference at Goole on 16th June. Eleven participants, from all sectors, volunteered to be part of a working group, which had its first meeting in July. Seventy people from all over Yorkshire and the Humber, and from the private and public sector, as well as voluntary and community organisations, took part in the conference. The atmosphere at the Courtyard in Goole was vibrant and stimulating all day. keynote speakers The day began with two excellent speakers. Ed Mayo (Secretary General, Co-operatives UK) - The Campaign For Co-operation Professor Andrew Kerslake (Associate Director, the Institute of Public Care - There may be trouble ahead... Key Issues in Commissioning Adult Social Care (these presentations are collated in one summary document see below)

Complimentary and interesting presentations
Inspiring, interesting, funny, well done

workshops (world café) We used, for the first time, a world café approach to workshops. Short presentations were followed by small, constantly changing discussion groups, so each discussion was cross-fertilised by participants form all round the room. Each small group aimed to finish with one key point to take forward (these are all collated in one summary document see below). From national to local (Stephen Oversby, Barnardos) Partnership with local authorities (Detty Tyler, East Riding Voluntary Action Services) Partnership working for health and commissioning: getting more for less (Norma Thompson, NHS Leeds) Choices and rights (Duncan Edge, Choices and Rights Disability Coalition)This session was a real eye opener
Discussion format very useful - made for focussed and interesting discussion.
performance Performers from Castaway (Goole Accessible Music Theatre) created a magical atmosphere outside in the Courtyard, as people participants had lunch in the sunshine.

The reason we are all here.

ideas bank 5 very specific ideas were aired for just 6 minutes each. Participants were then asked to spend their specially minted money Yorkies on whichever idea they thought was most effective and feasible:(these are all collated in one summary document see below)

Supporting BME organisations to deliver (Muzahid Khan, Yorkshire & the Humber Forum) - 25 Yorkies
A commissioning and procurement framework (Donald Macintosh, Community Regeneration Partnership) - 36 Yorkies
Participatory budgeting (Heather Blakey, International Centre for Participation Studies) - 82 Yorkies
Social impact bonds (Neil Berry, Development Trusts Association) - 136 Yorkies
Social value clauses in contracts (Tony Bailey and Dean Backhouse, Leeds City Council) - 69 Yorkies

key issues, discussion points and opportunities what did participants think? 90% of participants felt the conference completely or partly met their expectations
informative and thought provoking.
More than my expectations.
very interesting and a good learning opportunity

VCS quarterly confidence survey for Yorkshire and the Humber - June

Tue, 15 Jun 2010 00:00:00 +0100

The Regional Forum has published its latest VCS quarterly confidence survey. Respondents are still gloomy about prospects for the sector, although there has been a slight increase in confidence about their own organisations' situations.

Government says what it means by Big Society

Thu, 20 May 2010 00:00:00 +0100

The Government has today published details of what it means by Big Society (see link, and download the Big Society Programme). This is likely to have far-reaching effects on the voluntary and community sector, and on how things are planned.

VCS quarterly confidence survey for Yorkshire and the Humber

Mon, 29 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

The Regional Forum has published its latest VCS quarterly confidence survey. Despite increasing concern about economic conditions within the VCS, over a third of organisations are planning to expand their services and 81% expect to collaborate more over the next year. VCS Quarterly Confidence Survey

Report on the work of Yorkshire Forward

Tue, 16 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0000

MPs on the Yorkshire and the Humber Select Committee are concerned about the impact of budget cuts and a reduction in funding on the work of Yorkshire Forward in the region. In a report on the work of the Regional Development Agency published today the MPs praise its work promoting economic development and regeneration in the region. The report points out that Yorkshire Forward has incurred a 23.9% reduction in total financial resources for 2010-11 and recommends that the Development Agency should not have its budget decreased further. The Committee welcomes the conclusions of the National Audit Office and Pricewaterhouse Coopers reports which positively endorse the work of Yorkshire Forward and its benefits to the regional economy.

BIG £250k helps youth Make their Mark on social enterprise

Thu, 11 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0000

The Big Lottery Fund is helping to create a new bank of young social entrepreneurs by backing this years Make Your Mark With a Tenner initiative. A £250,000 grant to Enterprise UK will support this unique opportunity which taps into the innovative minds of young people, giving them the chance to make their ideas happen. Make Your Mark With a Tenner loans young people £10 and challenges them to make as much profit and social impact as they can over the space of a month. In 2009 over 16,000 young people under the age of 19 took part in the initiative, with the top 50 entries making an impressive average profit of £261. The grant from BIG will be used to extend the initiative into areas of England where young people have little opportunity to gain experience in social enterprise. It will also help evaluate the impact of the Make Your Mark experience on the participants and share learning with relevant national and local organisations such as enterprise and young peoples organisations.

Councils shouldn't cut out third sector in efficiency drive

Thu, 28 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0000

Councils should consider the unique skills and benefits the third sector has to offer when improving local public services, Communities Secretary John Denham said today. In a keynote speech to the New Local Government Network, Mr Denham said councils shouldnt ignore the social outcomes the third sector can provide such as jobs for the workless or better services, in the stampede the hunt down the cheapest deal. Mr Denham will shortly be meeting with representatives from local government and the third sector to discuss the issue and look at how to ensure the third sector has the opportunity to play its part in the big issue of public service reform locally. John Denham said: It does not make sense to exclude the many excellent voluntary and third sector providers. They may not offer the cheapest contract in terms of narrowly defined cost/benefit in the short-term. But they can deliver important additional social outcomes such as jobs for the workless and marginalised and better quality service which saves money in the long run. Third sector organisations as well as groups of local public service employees and new private sector providers must have the chance to show how they could deliver the outcomes local people want by new ways of working, and new ways of delivering services not just asked to compete to deliver the current services at the lowest possible cost. I have a real concern that the third sector is not getting the opportunity to play its part in the big issue of public service reform locally. I have invited in representatives from local government and the third sector to discuss the issues and look at how we can address this.

Charity Awards 2010 are now open for entries

Thu, 07 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0000

The Charity Awards 2010 are now open for entries The Charity Awards recognise excellence in the leadership and management of charities. They provide a wonderful opportunity for you propel your charitys work into the spotlight, to influence policy makers and funders and to boost the morale of your staff and stakeholders. The closing date for entries is Friday 12th March 2010. For more information visit: http://www.charityawards.co.uk/home/index.php

New Director General for the OTS

Thu, 03 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0000

Rolande Anderson has been appointed as the new Director General for the Office of the Third Sector (OTS). She joins the OTS from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) where she was Director General for Transformation and Corporate Services. Before joining ONS, Rolande was Regional Director of the Government Office for the South East, Englands largest region.

The Queen's Speech

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0000

There are thirteen Bills outlined in today's Queen's Speech; three of these have direct relevance to the voluntary and community sector. They are; The Child Poverty Bill This puts into law the government's commitment to end child poverty by 2020. It places a duty on local authorities to deal with the problem, and requires the government to report progress to Parliament on an annual basis. The Equality Bill This places a duty on the whole public sector to "narrow the gap between rich and poor". It would ban age discrimination outside the workplace, and require businesses with more than 250 employees to report on gender differences on pay. The public sector should use money for public procurement deals to drive equality in the private sector. Personal Care at Home Bill This would guarantee free personal care for people suffering from acute diseases like dementia or Parkinson's. It will protect the savings of people who currently get free care, and promises to help those needing to enter care homes for the first time to maintain their independence. This applies to England only. The Child Poverty and Equality Bills are not new in substance, although there are some additions/changes in the details. The Regional Forum has been engaged with both of these Bills with responses and briefings. For more information on the policy work of the Regional Forum visit: UK Policy

Social enterprise man goes all the way 'to test state of the sector'

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0000

* By David Ainsworth, Third Sector * A social enterprise leader from Yorkshire has pledged to live on nothing but the products of social enterprises for the month of November. Alex Sobel, general manager of Social Enterprise Yorkshire and Humber, intends to document details of his purchases on his organisation's website, with a commentary on how he is getting on. "If I find it easy, that will tell us something about the state of social enterprise," he said. "If I find it impossible, that will tell us something else." He said the obvious difficulties were paying for gas, electricity and water, but that he would be able to buy petrol from a John Lewis or Waitrose service station. The idea came to him, he said, when reading a biography of 19th-century philanthropist Robert Owen, members of whose cooperative-style organisations tried to buy products only from other community enterprises. "I wanted to show that we shouldn't talk about community enterprise all day, then go to Tesco at 5pm when we walk out of the door," said Sobel.

Exceptional pressures will alter the face of the voluntary sector

Tue, 15 Sep 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Exceptional pressures will alter the face of the voluntary sector, says Recession Watch Panel By Tristan Donovan, Third Sector, 15 September 2009 Changes to public spending and a struggle for small charities predicted by Third Sector's team of experts The voluntary sector will look significantly different after the recession because of changing patterns of public spending and commissioning and the rise of social enterprise, according to Third Sector's Recession Watch Panel. The panel of voluntary sector leaders, which met for the third time last week to discuss the economic downturn, agreed the sector was facing unprecedented pressures saying the Government's desire to commission large contracts could require even the largest charities to collaborate or merge to win public sector work. Two groups of charities were seen as particularly vulnerable to this and to falls in grant funding - those in the £10,000 to £150,000 income bracket taking on staff or premises for the first time; and organisations in the £1m to £20m range trying to turn themselves into national players. Federated charities could also be hit because they were often made up of organisations in these income brackets. Dame Mary Marsh, director of the Clore Social Leadership Programme, said social enterprise would become more important. "It's the only thing offering the potential for more income, because there are people who are interested in investing their money for social good rather than giving it away," she said. Foundations and trusts might move away from grant giving to social investment, she said: "Some private foundations are looking for more secure ways of getting a return for the money they put into the sector." It also warned that the Government's planned social investment bank would not make up for the drop in public funding.

All Inclusive? Third sector involvement in regional and sub-regional policymaking

Mon, 27 Jul 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Regions and sub-regions play an important, if often unseen, role in policymaking. Influential decisions linked to regeneration, planning, housing, economic development and the allocation of European funding are all taken at these levels by a complex web of quangos and partnerships. This report considers the third sector's role as a key stakeholder in decision-making at the regional and sub-regional level, with a particular focus on economic development. To view and download the full report free of charge visit: http://www.ippr.org/publicationsandreports/publication.asp?id=684

Big Lottery Fund unveils new funding strategy

Thu, 25 Jun 2009 00:00:00 +0100

** Kaye Wiggins, Third Sector Online, 25 June 2009 ** The voluntary and community sector will receive at least 80 per cent of funds and an extra £45m for the recession The Big Lottery Fund is providing an extra £45m to help charities through the recession and has pledged to give at least 80 per cent of its funds to voluntary and community groups rather than the current 60 to 70 per cent. The news came in its announcement today of its funding strategy for the for the next six years. The strategy follows its Big Thinking consultation, which asked stakeholders and the public how its budget for new funding programmes should be spent. The extra £45m, which will be distributed in the current financial year, includes an extra £20m for the Reaching Communities scheme in England, £7m for its Basis programme, which works to increase capacity in the sector, £5m for its Awards for All, which gives grants of between £300 and £10,000 to grassroots groups, and between £1m and £3m each for programmes in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Social Enterprise Yorkshire and the Humber Awards nominations

Wed, 24 Jun 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Social Enterprise Yorkshire & the Humber and Business Link Yorkshire are launching the annual search to find the regions most dynamic and innovative social enterprises. Entries for the Social Enterprise Awards open on 15 June. Judges are looking for outstanding examples of businesses that are delivering real social impact and competing effectively in a commercial market. Antony Radley, head of social enterprise for Business Link, who organise and sponsor the awards, said: We are looking for examples of best practice that would be groundbreaking in more traditional commercial businesses. Social enterprises are operating in the same economic climate as other businesses so we are looking for those that are bucking the trend. Often social enterprises dont realise just how good they are. These awards are a great way of benchmarking your performance and achievements against others There are five categories in the Social Enterprise Awards: Start up of the Year, Social Enterprise in Education, Innovation in Enterprise, Social Entrepreneur of the Year and Social Enterprise of the Year. The closing date for entries is July 17. To enter go to: SEYH Awards

Yorkshire Forward looks for new Board Members

Tue, 23 Jun 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Regional Development Agency Yorkshire Forward is looking for new members to join its Board. Tasked with driving economic development in Yorkshire and Humber and in the current economic climate, supporting regional businesses through the recession Yorkshire Forward invests around £300 million of public money every year in initiatives to support business growth, regenerate the regions towns and cities and develop the skills of its workforce. Members of the Board are responsible for driving the organisations investment decisions, which are accountable to Government via the newly created Department for Business, Innovation and Skills. The closing date for applications is Friday, 3rd July and more information is available at http://www.rdaboardappointments.com or from Kelly Walton on 0113 2056095.

Angela Smith named new third sector minister

Tue, 09 Jun 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Angela Smith, the Prime Ministers parliamentary private secretary and MP for Basildon, has been named as the new minister for the third sector. Ms Smith has also previously held positions as under secretary of state at the Department for Communities and Local Government and under secretary of state for Northern Ireland, while between 1997 and 1999 she was an officer for the All Party Parliamentary Group for Charities and the Voluntary Sector. In her most recent role as parliamentary private secretary, she described herself as the eyes and ears of the Prime Minister at Westminster. Her predecessor, Kevin Brennan, moves to an as yet unspecified role at the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, having spent just eight months at the OTS. The role of minister for the third sector has also been raised from parliamentary under secretary to minister of state.

Surviving NOT Thriving - recession impact in the North East

Thu, 21 May 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Voluntary organisations' network north east (VONNE) has published the findings of it's impact study on the recession. The results of the survey highlight the difficulties faced by the sector in the North East including evidence that people in real need are being turned away from mental health charities, advice services and hostels as demand outstrips supply as well as, increased levels of stress amongst staff and concerns about the creation of the tow new unitary authorities in the region. The report also contains a number of recommendations for the future in particular about the Governments £42.5 million Real Help for Communities, the value of volunteers and the role of the Compact. The full report and all the findings can be found at:http://www.vonne.org.uk/survey/

Health of the 'VCS' survey 2009/10

Mon, 27 Apr 2009 00:00:00 +0100

The Regional Forum has completed its initial analysis of the results gathered from the 2009 Health of the Sector survey. As well as giving a breakdown of the type of work organisations do the survey also asked if the organisations had experienced any changes in the demand for their services and in terms of size and finance. The results show that a significant number of the respondents had experienced a growth in the demand for services but that rate of growth was not matched in rises in staff or volunteers. Many organisations expected to grow in the next financial year although at the time of the survey around 15% of those who took part were still unsure about what was going to happen to their organisation. The survey results can be viewed by clicking on the link below. Surevy Results

The Budget: verdict from the sector

Thu, 23 Apr 2009 00:00:00 +0100

** Third Sector Online, 23 April 2009 ** A welcome for £20m hardship fund, but disappointment at lack of progress on setting up a social investment bank and Gift Aid reform. Voluntary sector leaders greeted Alistair Darling's 2009 Budget with a mixture of enthusiasm and frustration. The biggest hit was a new £20m grant fund for charities hit by the recession, which came as a welcome supplement to the £42.5m action plan announced in February. They also welcomed an additional £18.75m to help credit unions make more affordable loans to people on low incomes, and a match funding scheme to help create 150,000 new jobs for young unemployed people, which they said would draw young people into the sector. John Low, chief exective of the Charities Aid Foundation, said the Chancellor had brought some welcome good news: "Coming in an extraordinary budget when nobody expected much help, this demonstrates recognition right at the heart of government that charities are the front line support for many people during these difficult times." The frustration came over Darling's failure to announce promised measures to streamline Gift Aid and reform the problematic substantial donor legislation, and the Government's slow progress on the commitment to set up a new social investment bank. Hopes of measures to ease charities' problems with VAT and prolong the staff hire concession, which helps charities that use agency staff, were also disappointed. The Charity Tax Group issued a statement saying the sector was "invisible" in the Budget. Helen Donoghue, director of the group, said: "It is surprising that a number of measures that could have been introduced to ensure the sector played its part in delivering services to alleviate the social problems caused by rising unemployment were overlooked." Shadow charities minister Nick Hurd said the decision to hold a consultation on a social investment bank, rather than making a firm commitment to fund it, was a "missed opportunity". Opinion was divided on whether the new 50 per cent tax rate from next year on incomes above £150,000 would harm or boost donations to charity. Some felt high earners would give less; others that they would be attracted by being able to claim back a higher percentage of a donation for themselves.

New LSC Qualified Provider Framework Begins

Tue, 04 Nov 2008 00:00:00 +0000

Qualified Provider Framework What is the Qualified Provider Framework? As of 31st October 2008, the LSC has opened a Qualified Provider Framework (QPF) for providers of education and training services. The Qualified Provider Framework is a maintained list of all providers from which the LSC will secure education and training services. This list will incorporate those providers with whom the LSC will negotiate and/or invite to tender. The Qualified Provider Framework will streamline the way the LSC commissions and contracts for provision and will remove barriers for new providers wishing to work with the LSC. Providers that wish to be eligible to receive invitations to tender can apply to be pre-qualified at any time during the year. This always open approach will allow providers to apply at a time convenient to them and which suits their business need. When the LSC identifies a need to tender for provision, it will temporarily freeze the list to new applicants in order for the tendering process to begin. The dates that the list will be frozen will be published well in advance; ensuring providers have sufficient opportunity to apply to pre-qualify. How do providers ensure they are on the Qualified Provider Framework? The details of all existing LSC providers are on the Qualified Provider Framework. Providers only need to take action if they wish ro receive inviations to tender from the LSC. Any provider that wishes to be included in the LSCs tendering round in January 2009 needs to ensure that they apply to pre-qualify by 10th December 2008. Providers who do not apply to pre-qualify by this date will not be eligible to receive invitations to tender in January 2009. This will not impact on a providers ability to continue to negotiate with the LSC. Existing providers who have no interest in receiving invitations to tender for new programmes do not need to take action. The LSC will continue to negotiate existing contracted programmes with these providers. General information on the Qualified Provider Framework - this is available on the LSC website LSC.gov.uk Information on the Qualified Provider Framework is outlined in the following documents on the lSC website: At-a-glance view of how to apply to pre-qualify The press advertisement on the Qualified Provider Framework Specification document for the Qualified Provider Framework If you would like to apply to pre-qualify: Access the LSCs e-tendering solution Frequently asked questions about e-tendering (2008/09 tendering round) Every week the LSC will look through all the questions they have received about the e-tendering process and publish answers to those that are asked frequently or that they think you may find useful.

Train to Gain Enhancement Fund

Thu, 30 Oct 2008 00:00:00 +0000

The Train to Gain Enhancement Fund is of interest to voluntary sector employers and training providers because it supports many more types of training, indeed everything that cant be funded through the main Train to Gain programme. The estimated total Fund allocation for Yorkshire and the Humber is £50m, and it will be a live fund operating until March 2010, with tendering rounds every two to three months. The Voluntary, Community and Faith sector is a priority sector for the Enhancement Fund, particularly through the Commissioned Delivery route and the Single Business Application route. There is more about the different routes to access the fund later in this article, but for those who have worked with the Skills Fund, the Enhancement Fund is similar in purpose and processes. The Train to Gain Enhancement Fund is funded by the European Social Fund (ESF), the Learning and Skills Council for Yorkshire & Humber (LSC) and Yorkshire Forward (YF). Management of the Fund was awarded to the West Yorkshire Consortium of Colleges (WYCC) and Calderdale College is leading this fund and is the accountable body. This means that the college is effectively acting on behalf of the LSCYH to commission and then contract with organisations who will deliver the activity. What can be supported? Of greatest interest to the voluntary and community sector is possibly the bespoke training, for organisations with their own training courses suited only to them, and the non-accredited training. Levels 1 to beyond 4, and other accredited qualifications are also covered, where these are not met by the main Train to Gain programme. Three Routes to the Fund Single Business Application (9-15m) The Single Business Application (SBA) is specifically for meeting the needs of individual businesses or organisations. It applies to employees over the age of 16, and the Voluntary and Community sector is a priority sector. A possible downside of this route for the VCS is that a 40% cash contribution is expected, so it is advisable to consider training needs and budgets carefully. Contact: sba@calderdale.ac.uk Provider Route (6-10m) This is a direct application route for providers, or small cohorts of organisations, such as learning consortia. The main eligibility is that there should be a common training need. There is no minimum value, and a maximum value of £100,000. Again, a 40% employer contribution is expected. Approval timescales are short with approval being within 15 days of receipt of an endorsed and fully completed application, and contracted activity expected to begin 15 days following approval. Commissioned Activity (15-25m) The following specifications have been launched: A Pre Apprenticeship Programme to improve levels of e2e learners progressing onto an Apprenticeship programme (for South Yorkshire); Skills Advisor Programme; and a Rapid Response Redundancy Programme, presently establishing a list of preferred providers who can offer support to individuals facing redundancy. Contact: www.enhancementfund.co.uk

At last, at long, long last! Government announces a new Third Sector Skills Council

Wed, 22 Oct 2008 00:00:00 +0100

This new skills body will identify and address skills gaps and shortages for charities, voluntary groups, social enterprises and other Third Sector organisations. It will pull together the work of the sector skills councils to open up learning opportunities for Third Sector paid and voluntary staff. It will ensure the sector's needs are properly considered in the design and development of National Occupational Standards, Apprenticeship Frameworks and Sector Qualification Strategies. The Office of the Third Sector (OTS) and the Department of Innovation, Universities and Skills (DIUS) will jointly fund the new skills body with £2.5 million over the next 3 years. It will be independent and directed by a board representing the sector's employers. To support this Skills for Justice will act as "incubator" and Janet Fleming of the Workforce Hub will project manage. The Minister for the Third Sector, Kevin Brennan, said: "This will put the Third Sector's skills needs on the same level as other sectors. Charities, voluntary groups and social enterprises deal with some of the most challenging social and environmental issues. Whether they are multi-million pound global operations or small community groups, having employees and volunteers with the right skills to get the job done is essential." Lord Young, Minister for Skills and Apprenticeships said: "The Third Sector Skills body will be a real step change to how charities, social enterprises and voluntary groups get the skills they need. As well as developing programmes to plug the immediate skills gaps, it will link the Third Sector into the complete national skills framework and influence the development of skills support services for the benefit of the sector." And with a regional view, John Harris at the Regional Forum, said: "This is progress on a front we have worked on for 6 years - ever since the government rejected the case for a generic Sector Skills Council after the National Training Organisations were abolished. We have lobbied regionally and nationally for this new body, the Workforce Hub have tenaciously held on and worked for this at national level and congratulations are due all round."

Potentially Good Capital News for LSC funded learning providers

Mon, 13 Oct 2008 00:00:00 +0100

LSC Capital Funding Potential for the VCS Work is underway to extend access to LSC capital funding to the Third sector. There are two proposed funds: the Skills Capital Projects Fund is for large projects (minimum £500,000) and to be administered nationally. The second would be the Regional Skills Capital Development Fund and the current proposal is for a £100,000 minimum and this fund would be administered regionally. The key criterion proposed is that organisations would have to already receive 50% of their funding from the LSC concern has been expressed over this as it would exclude most Third Sector organisations. The LSC Capital team are looking at the possibility of adding a clause which would state that any strong educational proposal should be looked at separately regardless of the 50% requirement. It is hoped that this new access to capital funding will take shape in the Spring of 2009 - we will keep you posted.

Upcoming Training for Infrastructure Organisations

Mon, 01 Sep 2008 00:00:00 +0100

National Performance Programme - Training discount for infrastructure members of the Regional Forum for Yorkshire and Humber The Regional Forum has negotiated training discounts for its infrastructure members from the National Performance Programme, led by Charities Evaluation Services (CES). National Performance Programme training courses are for people working in infrastructure organisations that support groups and organisations, for example as development workers. The courses provide a solid foundation in: strategic planning, quality assurance and monitoring and evaluation. There is also an introduction to performance management course for people who want a quick overview of the field, or who are new to the role of supporting groups on performance. Prices start from £45 but Regional Forum members can access a 25% discount on courses running in autumn 2008. There are also bursaries available to help with travel costs. Courses include: Introducing performance for support providers 9 October (York)or the 11 November in Cambridge or the 19 November in Birmingham Quality: supporting groups 13 October (York) or the 4 November in Birmingham Strategic planning: supporting groups 6 & 7 November (York)or the 25 and 26 November in Cambridge Monitoring and evaluation: supporting groups 22 October in Cambridge or the 14 November (York) or the 11 November in Cambridge or the 28 November in Birmingham The training has been designed for people who are new or fairly new to the topics the courses cover and therefore are not suitable for people with a lot of experience on the subject. For more detailed information on the courses, travel bursaries and booking information please go to http://www.performancemanagement.org.uk When you book please specify that you are a Regional Forum member to receive your 25% discount. Further information can be obtained from: CES: Peter Norgate Peter Norgate 020 7078 9394 Regional Forum: John Harris 0113 3942300

Chair of the Yorkshire and Humber Assembly, welcomes the publication of the Yorkshire and Humber Plan

Wed, 28 May 2008 00:00:00 +0100

Peter Box, Chair of the Yorkshire and Humber Assembly, has welcomed the publication of the Yorkshire and Humber Plan. Many organisations and individuals across the region have put a lot of effort in to the preparation of the Plan," he said. Its important that we have an up to date plan in place to provide the long term direction for development and investment in the region." And he added: Theres no doubt the higher housing requirements for more homes in the region are challenging, which is why the Government has asked the Assembly to undertake a partial review of the Plan - to look again at housing growth. In addition, that mini review will also allow us to look at other, related key issues like infrastructure, transport, Eco Towns and New Growth Points." Government legislation in 2004 saw Regional Planning Guidance - the framework for local authority development plans which oversee development and land use applications - replaced by a Regional Spatial Strategy (RSS). In this region, this is called the Yorkshire and Humber Plan. The RSS will set the framework to guide and direct where and how development and investment takes place across the region. Under new planning law, it will form part of the development plan" for each local authority and be taken into account in determining planning applications. More information can be found at: http://www.goyh.gov.uk/goyh/plan/regplan/?a=42496

NCVO Barclays Leadership Programme 2008 - apply now for an excellent Leeds opportunity!

Thu, 10 Apr 2008 00:00:00 +0100

Outstanding civil society leaders demonstrate a potent blend of qualities and are key to guiding their organisations to become all they can be. The new NCVO Barclays Leadership Programme will enable you to develop these qualities, primarily through a series of facilitated group meetings with other leaders. This opportunity is particularly aimed at leaders in smaller civil society organisations and will run from 3 UK locations including Leeds. How will the programme work? Over a period of 7 months you will meet 5 times with a group of leaders, where you'll receive some input about an aspect of leadership, followed by structured discussion led by our facilitator. In between meetings you'll be given material to help you reflect on your leadership practises. What will you achieve? Through the programme you will achieve a clearer understanding of the qualities demonstrated by effective leaders. We anticipate that this will bring new insight to your leadership approach, and bring transformation to your organisation as a result. We also anticipate that you will develop fruitful and inspiring relationships with other leaders. Who's it for? To gain maximum benefit from this programme, you will need to be already in a position of leadership and able to bring live examples of leadership challenges to group discussion. You may be a chair of trustees or a chief executive or a leader of a team within your organisation. The programme has been designed for those representing small organisations - you can read more about our suggested eligibility criteria at http://www.ncvo-vol.org.uk/leadershipprogramme. To apply, for more information, or with any questions please contact Claire Curtis on 020 7520 2511 or mailto:claire.curtis@ncvo-vol.org.uk. ** The closing date for applications is Friday 18th April 2008 **

Big Lottery funding for ground breaking on-line learning resource for charity workers and volunteers

Mon, 18 Feb 2008 00:00:00 +0000

The project will deliver an e-learning network, designed specifically for the broad Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS) and will concentrate on informal learning. It will NOT re-invent the wheel, and will have a heavy emphasis on linking its users through to other sites and experts providing relevant information and learning materials entirely online. The e-Learning network will be a strategic and practical solution to reduce the intractable learning deficit within the VCS; the sector spends as little as 1% of its wage bill on training and developing talent which compares with 3% in the commercial and public sectors. Sector surveys repeatedly report skills shortages. For more information visit: http://www.centreforcharityeffectiveness.org/newsletter_jan08/blfannounce.htm

"Now's the time..." Regional Minister makes first speech

Tue, 05 Feb 2008 00:00:00 +0000

Over 100 delegates gathered in York yesterday for Nows the time, the Regional Forums Annual Conference. Those who attended heard Rosie Winterton MP, the new Regional Minister for Yorkshire and the Humber give her first speech in her new ministerial role along with different perspectives of the Sub-National Review (SNR) from Chris Megainey, the chief Civil Servant who oversees the implementation of the SNR and local politician Cllr Peter Box, Chair of the Yorkshire and Humber Assembly and Leader of Wakefield District Council. Reflecting on personal family experiences, Rosie spoke of her past associations with the voluntary and community sector, her Uncle ran a home for the blind during the 30s and was happy to speak to the sector again after her close involvement whilst with the Department of Health. She highlighted that during that consultation, the popular views held by the statutory sector, that the third sector was often not properly organised or resourced were quite the opposite. Referring to the SNR, Rosie said that the next few months were uncertain but there was now an opportunity to take things forward, to ensure all views were heard and she was delighted to be playing a role in that process. She was also sorry that plans for a regional government hadnt taken off, for her regional devolution meant proper accountability, transparency and organisations that reflect local principles. She acknowledged the enormous contribution that the sector and the Regional Forum makes, reflecting something of the Yorkshire Spirit, adding that we all need to celebrate what the region is about and to talk it up. Above all Yorkshire and the Humber is a great place to business and a great place to live, and we should say that loud and clear. On the challenges that lie ahead, Rosie highlighted that strong regions matter to the Government and Whitehall and the emphasis must be on modern governance structures to increase involvement in our communities at a time of disengagement and a decrease in voting. People want to feel more empowered, how can power and responsibility be devolved to right level. The region also has challenges in issues such as housing, skills and transport and for her the region needs a strong regional strategy to overcome them, the key is not to have Yorkshire Forward working alone in a vacuum but in partnership with local authorities and the third sector. Rosie was very keen to meet with leaders in the third sector, to bring together social partners with business to add value to the discussions going on and ensure that the Yorkshire and Humber voice is heard clearly in Whitehall and Westminster, and that policy recognises the reality of what is happening in the region. A full round up of the days events and speeches will follow shortly.

Community Empowerment Workshops

Fri, 01 Feb 2008 00:00:00 +0000

A practice exchange workshop and Action Learning Session on skills for effective representation in communities Community Empowerment Workshop: 10 March 10.00 to 4.00 in Leeds (St. Georges Centre) At this workshop we will be looking at the skills and abilities needed to be an effective representative of the voluntary and community sectors on Local Strategic Partnerships and other strategic groups. To do this we will be sharing our own experience and make use of a set of skills developed through recent research. The National Association for Voluntary and Community Action (NAVCA) has developed a set of competencies for effective representation and well be drawing on these to help us look at our own roles. The workshop will also focus on empowerment how can we act as empowering representatives and leaders? How can we build skills and confidence in others as well as our selves? Well use look at the idea of empowering leadership, again drawing on our own experience, as well as recent work on this carried out by NAVCA. Maximum 20 participants. The Action Learning Session: 17 March - 10.00 to 1.00 (lunch is 1.00 to 1.30) in Leeds (venue to be confirmed) This informal half day session will be an opportunity for people to go into more depth to share their experiences. Using action learning methods we will work in small groups to explore problems and challenges, again drawing on the NAVCA research on skills for effective representation as a broad framework. In comparison to the workshop, this session gives you more time to reflect on your own work in a supportive environment. Maximum 12 participants Both events are open to anyone from the voluntary and community sectors who are involved as representatives on LSPs, either the executive board or thematic partnerships, as well as anyone from the Third or public sectors interested or involved in supporting representatives. Booking: Priority will be given to participants who can attend both sessions complete the form attached or accessible below: We can pay travel expenses by public transport where necessary. Both events are funded through the Yorkshire and the Humber Regional Empowerment Partnership. They are organised by the Regional Forum and facilitated by Steve Skinner, a freelance consultant and trainer who is a well known author on community engagement and capacity building. Steve is joint author of Skilling up for LSPs, research published by NAVCA in 2007 and is currently carrying out further research on representation for NAVCA called Stronger Voices. For more information on the research, please go to www.navca.org.uk The Regional Empowerment Partnership is part of the National Empowerment Partnership which has been established by the Department for Communities and Local Government. The central aim of the national strategy is to improve the quality and functioning of relationships between citizens and government in order to increase the ability of people to influence to decisions which affect their lives. The main purpose of the National Partnership is to improve community empowerment and engagement by showing where they are taking place, how well they are working, what makes them work well and disseminating and applying those lessons widely. This should bring about, over a period of time, an improvement in the quality of community empowerment across England.

Progress in the Region 2007

Thu, 20 Dec 2007 00:00:00 +0000

Progress in the Region is a report produced by Yorkshire Futures which assesses progress in key areas like transport, jobs, housing, crime and the environment. The 2007 version of the report has recently been completed and concludes that Yorkshire and Humber has consolidated its position overall making good progress in some areas, whilst facing major challenges on others. Against 32 headline indicators it concludes that the region has made progress on 12 key issues and lost ground on 9, whilst the position is steady or uncertain on a further 11 indicators. Both the summary and full reports of Progress in the Region 2007 are available online. Progress in the Region 2007

Regional Forum Annual Review 2006 - 2007

Tue, 20 Nov 2007 00:00:00 +0000

The Regional Forum Annual Review 2006 - 2007 has now been published. The Review illustrates as well as celebrates the diverse range of work the Regional Forum has been involved with over the last year. It also highlights that through the continued support and involvement of our membership it enables the Forum to remain a strong advocate and presence for the voluntary and community sector on the regional stage. Many will be receiving a printed copy shortly and it can be viewed and downloaded from: Annual Review 2007

The Queen's Speech 2007

Wed, 07 Nov 2007 00:00:00 +0000

The Government has set out its programme for reform in the first Queen's Speech of Gordon Brown's premiership. Education, housing, health and the environment topped the bill in the Queen's traditional annual address at the State Opening of Parliament. A key proposal on education is to increase the age of compulsory learning, either academic or vocational, to 18 and to improve apprenticeship provision. Legislation will be introduced to create a new Homes and Communities agency with responsibility for affordable housing and regeneration. Planning legislation will also be reformed to make decision - making "quicker and more transparent". On health, the Queen revealed Government plans to establish a health and social care regulator to ensure "clean and safe services". There were 22 seperate bills anounced in the speech, for more detailed information or to read a transcript of the speech visit: http://www.pm.gov.uk/output/Page13708.asp

FOOTSEY 2007 round up

Wed, 31 Oct 2007 00:00:00 +0000

A round up of the days events at this year's FOOTSEY is now available. The e-bulletin also contains a Gallery of pictures of the day along with highlights and details of some of the competition winners.

Regional Compact Launch

Mon, 22 Oct 2007 00:00:00 +0100

The Compact on Relations between Government and the Voluntary and Community Sector in England (Compact), first introduced in 1998, is a framework agreement for how the government and the third sector should work together. Together the Compact and Codes set out a range of principles and a shared vision, along with undertakings for all sides. It applies to central government departments, Government Offices for the regions, executive agencies, non-departmental public bodies and to a range of organisations in the third sector. The Compact for the Yorkshire and Humber Region was officially launched at the FOOTSEY 2007 Event at York racecourse on 18th October. The main signatories, who by doing so confirm their organisation's commitment to the document, are: Government Office for Yorkshire and the Humber The Regional Forum Yorkshire and Humber Assembly Yorkshire and Humber Faiths Forum Yorkshire Forward Local Government Yorkshire and Humber The Churches Regional Commission for Yorkshire and the Humber BME VCS Regional Panel The full version of the Compact can be downloaded from: http://www.regionalforum.org.uk/publications_resources/knowledgebase/500/560/250.pdf

First UK Social Enterprise Job Site launched

Thu, 20 Sep 2007 00:00:00 +0100

A recruitment website designed to attract people to work in social enterprises has been launched in partnership with the Social Enterprise Coalition. The Coalition has teamed up with US-based social media company JustMeans to launch a UK version of the Justmeans.com site in October. In the meantime UK users can join the sites global network and select their region to find news and jobs to match their needs. Companies that sign up will get their own page on the site where they can post jobs, blogs, videos and articles. For more information visit: http://www.socialenterprise.org.uk/Page.aspx?SP=2161

Department of Health opens £73m investment fund for Social Enterprise programmes

Mon, 20 Aug 2007 00:00:00 +0100

Since April 2007, the Department of Health has been holding a Social Enterprise Investment Fund (SEIF) of £73 million for distribution over a four year period. Of this £73 million, there will be £1.2 million revenue and £8.9 million capital money in the financial year 2007 to 2008. Both social enterprise pathfinders and other social enterprises, including voluntary sector partnership groupings, delivering health and social care services will be able to apply to the SEIF in the financial year 2007 to 2008. The Care Services Minister Ivan Lewis has now announced the formal opening of this programme. Applications can now be submitted which propose setting up and building social enterprises to provide services that will benefit local communities. Applications can be submitted up until 31st October 2007. For full details and to download application forms, visit: Social Enterprise Investment Fund Information

Third Sector Review Final Report Published

Wed, 25 Jul 2007 00:00:00 +0100

The review report, The future role of the third sector in social and economic regeneration, sets out a strategy to promote the partnership between the Government and the third sector over the next ten years. The review was undertaken by the Treasury and the Cabinet Office. Most of the measures announced in the report will be led by the Office of the Third Sector, which will invest more than £515 million over the next three years in third sector programmes to support thousands of community organisations across the country. The main aims outlined in the report are to help give third sector organisations a greater voice and to work with the sector to strengthen communities, transform public services, encourage social enterprise and support the conditions for the sector to thrive. Also included is a section on building a robust evidence base for the sector, which includes a proposal to establish a third sector research centre. The report is at: Third Sector Review Final Report where you will also have the chance to 'Have your Say' on the report in a discussion forum.

Social Clauses in Public Service Contracts

Tue, 24 Jul 2007 00:00:00 +0100

A survey on social clauses in public procurement contracts is being undertaken by the North East Centre of Excellence (NECE), on behalf of the Office of the Third Sector. The survey will seek views on the use of social clauses, their benefits and barriers to their use. Social clauses in public contracts prioritise social needs in the procurement process for instance, the need to train or give jobs to the longterm unemployed in the local community. The Office of the Third Sector commissioned the project to learn more about the appropriate use of social clauses and spread good practice. The questionnaire aims to gather experiences, views and knowledge from a range of perspectives. Responses will support work on creating model template clauses. The Office of the Third Sector and NECE will consult stakeholders on how to overcome barriers to the use of social clauses, and work with those commissioners pioneering the use of social clauses to learn about their experiences and draw together examples of leading practices. For further details and to complete the survey, follow the link: Social Clauses in Public Service Contracts Survey Survey responses must be received by 30th September 2007 If you have any queries about the survey, please contact NECE on 0191 433 2257 or email: NECE@gateshead.gov.uk

Asset Transfer Pilots Announced

Mon, 23 Jul 2007 00:00:00 +0100

The Government has unveiled the 20 councils that will take part in the programme to pilot the transfer of redundant local authority buildings to community groups. The programme, called Advancing Assets for Communities, will see up to 40 disused local authority buildings snapped up by community groups. The councils will share a budget of £400,000 to fund the administration of the scheme. The Development Trusts Association, Community Matters, the Local Government Association and Action with Communities in Rural England, are working together to draw up guidance on how community groups can be supported in taking the transfer of the properties. The 20 councils involved in the pilot are: Ashfield, Birmingham, Cheshire, Cumbria, Dacorum, Devon, Forest Heath, Hastings, Kirklees, Lambeth, Leeds, Lewisham, North Tyneside, Nottingham, Peterborough, Restormel, Sheffield, Tower Hamlets, Tynedale and Warwick. Asset Transfer Pilots This was attached to the announcement on 10 pilot projects to trial local 'participatory budgeting - see press notice at: Participatory Budgeting Pilots for further details. Participatory budgeting gives communities the ability to take control of budgets through community-led debates, neighbourhood votes and public meetings. It includes training for local people on how local council budgets work and how priorities are set.

New report about business support services for social enterprises

Thu, 05 Jul 2007 00:00:00 +0100

A mapping exercise of the business support services available to social enterprises across England has been finished, highlighting "some excellent examples" and key recommendations. Commissioned by the Office for the Third Sector along with the nine Regional Development Agencies, it highlights the need for proactive specialist support to be provided at the pre-start phase. The report should also inform RDAs funding proposals. Read more and download the report uing the link below: Business Support Services for Social Enterprises (Courtesy of Vol VolResource Newsletter No. 301)

Futurebuilders concerns about contracting

Thu, 05 Jul 2007 00:00:00 +0100

Futurebuilders, the body which invests government funds in developing the capacity of charities to deliver public services, launched a report 'Is Futurebuilders Working?' at a conference of the same name on 4th July. The report highlights the threat of an unequal commissioning environment and calls for an urgent change among public sector commissioners and charity providers in their approach to contracting. The report is available on the Futurebuilders website: Is Futurebuilders working?. There is a Society Guardian interview with Futurebuilders Chief Executive Richard Gutch which can be read using the following link: Richard Gutch interview

The Brown Government and Learning and Skills

Tue, 03 Jul 2007 00:00:00 +0100

Whats the new Brown Government got to say about Learning and Skills? Childrens Services The new Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) will bring together all policy related to children and young people. It takes the Respect Agenda from the Home Office and will share Youth Justice with the Ministry of Justice, child poverty with the Treasury and the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), childrens health with the Department of Health (DoH) and youth sport with the Department for Culture. Beverley Hughes is Minister for Children and Youth Justice. Schools Schools will be run by the DCSF under Ed Balls. The DCSF will set pre 19 education policy and work with the new Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills (DIUS) on education reforms for 14-19 yrs old. 14-19 School pupils in this age group and (probably) sixth form college students will come under the DCSF. General further education college students and apprentices aged 16-19 will come under DIUS. Although 16-19 year olds in general Further Education (FE) colleges will be in institutions that are accountable to DIUS, they and sixth form college students will be funded via local education authorities. Adult Learning DIUS will cover further education, including foundation degrees and workplace training that attracts public funding. Barring further change it will take over Train to gain, basic skills and oversee the £4 billion adult portion of the LSC budget. Universities One of the immediate goals of the new DIUS will be to raise graduate skills. Under John Denham, it will oversee the development, funding and performance of higher education both in teaching and research. It will also take over science and innovation from the Department for Trade and Industry (DTI). The Higher Education Minister Bill Rammell will stay.

Charity Bank Heads North

Wed, 27 Jun 2007 00:00:00 +0100

Charity Bank has this week signed a £10 million deal with Yorkshire Forward to fund a second branch of the bank in the north of England. The investment will go towards opening a Leeds office to support third sector organisations in the Yorkshire and Humber area. This investment in a regional office of Charity Bank, a national organisation that aims to support social enterprise, is the first of its kind by a Regional Development Agency. For us its a very exciting event because it allows us to take a more pro-active approach in a new region, said Malcolm Hayday, chief executive of Charity Bank. For further details, visit Charity Bank Heads North © Yorkshire Forward

Great interest in Community Interest Companies

Wed, 27 Jun 2007 00:00:00 +0100

The thousandth Community Interest Company (CIC), a legal form only available since July 2005, was registered recently and it's in the Yorkshire and Humber region. City Healthcare Partnership CIC will provide primary and community health services across the City of Hull and is being established by staff at Hull Primary Care Trust. CICs are limited companies for people who want to create businesses that make profits in tandem with improving lives and opportunities in local communities. Further details about the development of CICs is available here: Developing a CIC The Social Enterprise Coalition website gives a good introduction to CICs: What is a CIC?

Government puts £3 million behind the voice of social enterprise

Wed, 27 Jun 2007 00:00:00 +0100

The Office of the Third Sector (OTS) in the Cabinet Office has announced it will fund seven leading organisations in the social enterprise sector a total of £3 million over three years to raise awareness with key groups and represent the sector in policy development. The funding will ensure that the voice of the sector is heard not only inside government, but with other crucial audiences from classrooms to boardrooms. The money will also ensure that there is a fair voice for black, Asian and minority ethnic individuals and organisations involved in the sector. The new social enterprise partners, chosen through open competition, are: * Social Enterprise Coalition (SEC) * School for Social Entrepreneurs / Unltd * Social Firms UK * Coops UK * Prowess * Plunkett Foundation * A national social enterprise Olympics partnership (led by Social Enterprise London in partnership with SEC) This funding is part of the OTS's broader Strategic Partners programme, which provides funding to third sector organisations to enable them to fairly reflect the views of their members to government, through activities such as events, conferences, research or consultation. For its part, the OTS will consult and involve partners in policy development, taking into account the evidence, advice and opinion they provide. Further details are available from: £3 million for Social Enterprise Development

Co-operatives and Credit Union Review Consultation

Tue, 26 Jun 2007 00:00:00 +0100

Almost 50 per cent of the UK population belongs to a mutual organisation. The sector overall has over 30 million members, and combined total assets in excess of £400 billion. Though membership of mutuals has grown over the last two decades, there have been limited changes to governing legislation. In November 2006 the Economic Secretary announced that the Government would review this. This consultation will take a two-stage approach. The first stage, open now, seeks views on the current legal framework, addressing issues identified by co-operative and credit union sectors as impeding development and in need of review. The second stage will involve consulting on firm proposals for legislative reform, should a case for reform emerge. It will identify the alternatives for implementation, possible advantages and limitations and provide clear options based on results of the first stage of the consultation. Any changes will take into account the unique aspects of the sector especially their mutuality and huge disparity in sizes, allow wider access to new and existing members, provide better services and improve competition both within and outside the sector. The consultation will impact on over 8000 industrial and provident societies and over 500 credit unions and runs for 12 weeks, closing on 12 September 2007.

Still Difficult to Achieve Full Cost Recovery

Mon, 25 Jun 2007 00:00:00 +0100

A report from the National Audit Office (NAO) says that a "significant proportion" of third sector organisations don't believe that they are getting paid for the full costs of providing services, including overheads. The NAO says that government departments have found it difficult translating the principle of full cost recovery (FCR) into practice, despite a government target to ensure full cost recovery applied across departments by April 2006. The review concludes that full cost recovery is not a concept that public funders can implement or roll out in a mechanistic way, and FCR does not necessarily apply in the same way across the variety of financial relationships between public funders and the sector. More details, including link to the full report, is available at: Full Report

Unison reports voice concerns about the impact of public service delivery on working conditions in the voluntary sector

Thu, 14 Jun 2007 00:00:00 +0100

Unison, the pubic services union, who have a significant number of members from the voluntary and community sector (vcs) have produced two reports on Third Sector involvement in public service delivery. The reports look at a number of issues faced by workers in the sector as result of public service contracts and commissioning. These issues include; job insecurity, declining pay and conditions, increased administration, lack of training and possible loss of the campaigning and advocacy roles. Unison would like to meet Prime Minister elect Gordon Brown to discuss these concerns, as they feel that although the government is sincere in its desire to embrace the sector, some policy is misguided leading to proposals that damage the sector and its ability to provide services. You can download the two Unison reports using the following links: Third Sector Provision of Local Government and Health Services False Economy? The costs of contracting and workforce insecurity in the voluntary sector

Stock Exchange for Social Enterprises

Thu, 07 Jun 2007 00:00:00 +0100

The Government is looking into setting up a stock exchange for social enterprises. Cabinet Office officials have met with umbrella body the Social Enterprise Coalition and financial institutions such as Triodos Bank to discuss the idea. Representatives from social enterprises Cafedirect and Traidcraft were also present. Ed Miliband, the charities minister, said a social stock exchange is one of the key policies he will be working on over the next year.

New Charity Trading Guidance

Thu, 07 Jun 2007 00:00:00 +0100

The Charities Commission has published new guidance for charities setting up trading arms or subsidiary companies to raise funds. It explains when and how charities may raise funds through commercial enterprises, offers an explanation of the taxation of trading profits and considers the difference between legal obligations and best practice. Read How Charities can Lawfully Trade using the following link: How Charities can Lawfully Trade

Discussion paper released about the second phase of the Futurebuilders Fund

Thu, 07 Jun 2007 00:00:00 +0100

The Office of the Third Sector has published a discussion paper to invite further views on the tender for a partner to deliver the second phase of the Futurebuilders Fund to distribute £65m of funding to third sector organisations over three years. Campbell Robb, Director General of Office of the Third Sector said: The Government wants a partner that can build on the success of the fund to date and, now that even more organisations are eligible, ensure it continues to enhance the third sector's ability to transform peoples lives. Read more about this on the Office of Third Sector website: Futurebuilders Fund Or you can download the full discussion paper using the following link: Discussion Paper Charity Finance have also produced an interesting article about the second phase of Futurebuilders funding, which highlights the fact that social enterprises involved in environmental activities and community leisure or sport will now be eligible for funding. You can read this article using the following link: Charity Finance Futurebuilders article

New Campaign to promote the importance of Grant Aid

Thu, 07 Jun 2007 00:00:00 +0100

Ten sector support bodies, including Directory of Social Change, The Scarman Trust and NAVCA have launched a campaign to promote the importance of grant aid. Their 'Sustaining Grants' booklet argues that grant aid is an essential part of the local funding mix for community organisations and remains essential for thriving local communities. You can download the pamphlet using the following link: Grant Aid Pamphlet

New Rural Community Enterprise Challenge Fund

Mon, 21 May 2007 00:00:00 +0100

Esmée Fairbairn Foundation, in partnership with the Development Trusts Association, is inviting applications for the new Rural Community Enterprise Challenge Fund. This exciting initiative is targeted at development trusts in England serving rural and semi-rural areas. This initiative aims to accelerate growth of rural development trusts with a good track record and the potential to sustain a successful community enterprise. It aims to enable a trust to take advantage of an opportunity in their area, thus helping to improve its financial sustainability, community impact and ability to tackle disadvantage in their communities. For more information or to apply to the fund use the following link: Rural Community Enterprise Challenge Fund The closing date for the first round of applications is 22nd June 2007.

New Social Enterprise Ambassadors schme

Fri, 18 May 2007 00:00:00 +0100

The Office of the Third Sector has launched an exciting new programme to create over 20 social enterprise ambassadors. The ambassadors will be social entrepreneurs with great stories to tell about how Social Enterprise has changed peoples lives. They will raise awareness of Social enterprise through the media and events. Minister for the Third Sector, Ed Milliband said: Once people see social enterprise, they understand it and become enthusiasts. We want to create an ambitious programme, owned by the sector, which will spread the message of what social enterprise can achieve throughout the country. Through their own stories and networks the ambassadors will help the movement achieve even more For more information use the following link Social Enterprise Ambassadors

Community Assets Fund Consultation

Mon, 14 May 2007 00:00:00 +0100

The Office for the Third Sector has launched a consultation about the new Community Assets Fund. This new £30 million programme announced in the Local Government White Paper 'Strong and Prosperous Communities' offers grants to refurbish unused local authority buildings and transfer ownership to Third Sector Organisations. The fund is to be managed by the Big Lottery Fund. You can download the concise eight page consultation document using the following link: Community Assets Fund Consultation. The consultation runs until 23rd June 2007.

2007 Social Enterprise Awards Launched

Fri, 20 Apr 2007 00:00:00 +0100

The 2007 Social Enterprise Awards, from the Social Enterprise Coalition and other partners including the Office of the Third Sector, were launched at Jamie Olivers Fifteen restaurant, one of the countries most famous Social Enterprises. They are seeking entries from Social Enterprises which are innovative and dynamic. There is a top prize of £10,000 and prizes of £5,000 for three other finalists and the winner of the New Social Enterprise Award. To find for further details and to find out how to enter use the following link: Social Enterperise Awards 2007

New report examines how Social Enterprises can overcome barriers to growth

Tue, 03 Apr 2007 00:00:00 +0100

Social Enterprise Futures is a new report form the Smith Institute which examines how the Social Enterprise sector can overcome barriers to growth and development. The report can be downloaded using the following link:Social Enterprise Futures

Healthy Business: A new guide to Social Enterprise in Health and Social Care

Mon, 02 Apr 2007 00:00:00 +0100

The Social Enterprise Coalition and Hempsons Solicitors have worked jointly to produce a new guide Healthy Business: A guide to social enterprise in Health and Social Care. The guide features nine case studies which highlight a diverse range of social enterprises with innovative approaches to service delivery. This guide will be useful for anyone interested in social enterprise and the benefits of working with, setting up or working for a social enterprise - particularly those operating in primary, community or social care. To download the guide or order your copy use the following link:Healthy Business

Budget 2007: Impact on the Third Sector

Thu, 22 Mar 2007 00:00:00 +0000

The Chancellor Gordon Brown announced a number of reforms which will benefit the voluntary and community sector as part of the 2007 Budget. Community organisations fund: A new £80m fund will be launched by the Office of the Third Sector to provide grants to small community based third sector organisations. The money will be distributed over four years by local partners including community foundations. Futurebuilders programme: The Futurebuilders programme has been extended so organisations can apply for support in any area of public service delivery rather than the just the five areas currently covered. Tax effective giving: There are plans to promote awareness of gift aid to increase uptake. The government will also publish guidance about tax effective giving. Community Investment Tax Relief (CITR): Changes have been announced that will allow CITR to be used more flexibility by Community Development Finance Institutions. This will have the greatest impact on social enterprises. Public Services: The Budget Report reaffirms the Governments commitment to Third Sector public service delivery and development. This is particularly the case with employment support. Further information can be found using the following links: NCVO Budget Guide Treasury guide to the Budget 2007 Office of Third Sector News

"Futureskills" - our regional Skills Action Plan

Wed, 21 Mar 2007 00:00:00 +0000

We now have our first regional voluntary and community sector Skills Action Plan. This is a key stage in accessing the right workforce development opportunities for our sector - given that to date we have not had a generic Sector Skills Council to move on this issue. This crucial work has been led by Humberside Learning Consortium and the Regional Forum, with support from the Learning and Skills Council. The whole Action plan can be accessed below - in the meantime the headlines are as follows: The Hit List the top 11 priorities for workforce development are:

To develop and promote a way of collecting workforce development information that is consistent, constant and easy to collect

To undertake a biennial state of the voluntary sector workforce and provision survey in Yorkshire and the Humber

To run a trustee recruitment campaign across the region

To develop a regional publicity programme that promotes the voluntary sector as a work and career option - to include both general and targeted campaigns (e.g. BME communities, young people, men, people with disabilities, long-term unemployed etc.)

To implement a region-wide framework for strategic and business planning to include progression pathways and programmes for voluntary sector managers

To establish a region-wide programme of human resource management support

To undertake a feasibility study into a voluntary sector governance and leadership centre for Yorkshire and the Humber in collaboration with the Third Sector Leadership Centre

To develop an e-bulletin service for leadership and management to send out the latest information on skills issues and learning opportunities directly to managers' desktops

To invest in improved volunteer management and development by volunteer involving organisations and lobby for the inclusion of volunteers in the "Train to Gain" programme

To improve regional dialogue with Sector Skills Councils that have a significant footprint in the voluntary sector, e.g. Skills for Care, Skills for Justice, Asset, Skills Active

To support the role of community development work in engaging people in informal learning, supporting them into accredited programmes and into work

Making Partnerships Work: Examples of good practice in Health and Adult Social Care

Tue, 13 Mar 2007 00:00:00 +0000

The Department of Health have produced a document which focuses on the role of third sector organisations as providers within health and adult social care. Case study examples demonstrate how effective commissioning by statutory and NHS organisations working jointly with third sector organisations can lead to a more innovative and dynamic health and social care service, better designed to meet users needs. Download your copy of this document using the following link: Making Partnerships Work

Consultation on the commissioning framework for health and well-being

Thu, 08 Mar 2007 00:00:00 +0000

The Commissioning Framework for Health and Well-being is published for consultation by the Department of Health. It is aimed at commissioners and providers of services in health, social care and local authorities. It is part of the White Paper 'Our Health, Our Care, Our Say'. The Department of Health are consulting as part of the development of a final document to be published in Summer 2007. Use the following link to read the consultation document and submit your views online Commissioning Framework for Health and Well-being. Regional consultation events are also to be held.

Health is Global: prospects for a UK Government - wide strategy

Thu, 08 Mar 2007 00:00:00 +0000

The Department of Health have released a new report describing the UK Global Health strategy. The report outlines the need for an international approach if we are to protect the health of the UK population, reduce global poverty and harness the opportunities of globalisation. to read the report in full use the following link: UK Global Health Report

The Edge Upstarts Awards: Recognising Social Enterprise

Tue, 20 Feb 2007 00:00:00 +0000

This year's Edge Upstarts Awards from Edge and New Statesman are now open for nominations. The awards are designed to encourage and promote social entrepreneurs. The catogaries for the awards are:

Social entrepreneur of the year

Social enterprise of the year

Young social entreprenuer of the year

Social enterprise mentor of the year

Social enterprise trainee of the year The closing date for nominations is 8th April 07. Find out more information and make your nomination at Edge Upstart Awards

New Social Enterprise Business Planning Guide

Tue, 20 Feb 2007 00:00:00 +0000

A new Business Planning guide is available from Fourth Sector, who have fifteen years experience of running Social Enterprises. Senscot describes the guide as "A clear, useful (and quite fun) guide which looks at all the things you need to think about when setting up a social enterprise of your own". Download the guide using the following link: Social Enterprise Business Planning Guide

Top Tips on Commissioning and Purchasing

Tue, 20 Feb 2007 00:00:00 +0000

Futurebuilders has published an online summary of recommendations from both sides of the commissioning relationship, from its recent 'Better Value = Better Services Conference' which was hosted in partnership with NCVO. Read the recommendations at:Top Tips: Commissioning and Purchasing

Multi-million pound social enterprise fund unveiled

Mon, 19 Feb 2007 00:00:00 +0000

A £73 million funding boost for social enterprise was announced today by Health Minister Ivan Lewis. The money in the social enterprise fund, to be spread over four years, will go towards supporting and encouraging the development of social enterprises in health and social care. Ivan Lewis said "This money will deliver a real boost to the social enterprise sector and demonstrates our real commitment and support of this way forward. Social enterprises will have a key role in the reform of how health and community services are delivered. We are underpinning these reforms with proper financial backing." For further information visit Social Enterprise fund

£200,00 Government Pilots to help social enterprises raise private sector investment

Thu, 15 Feb 2007 00:00:00 +0000

Ed Miliband, Minister for the Third Sector, announced that Charity Bank and Community Innovation UK will each lead £100,000 pilot programmes investigating how to encourage private sector investment in social enterprise. Mr Miliband congratulated both organisations - who bid for the projects in open competition - and welcomed the fresh insights their work will offer social enterprises looking to gain outside investment. For further deatils visit social enterprise information

Department of Health Third Sector Market Mapping report

Thu, 15 Feb 2007 00:00:00 +0000

This report contains the results of research commissioned from IFF Research Ltd by the Department of Health to examine the potential contribution that third sector organisations can make to the delivery of health and social care. The research involved surveys of third sector organisations and local authorities. The results will be used to inform implementation of the Third Sector Commissioning Taskforces conclusions and the application of its outputs. Download your copy of the report using the following link: Third Sector Market Mapping Report

What Future for Third Sector Commissioning?

Fri, 02 Feb 2007 00:00:00 +0000

The new policy briefing "Starting to Make Sense" has been put together to inform the Regional Forum's Procurement Project. The project is working to improve commissioning in four key areas: health; children's services; NOMS (National Offender Management Service) and employability. For further information about upcoming conferences, networks and the latest news contact Lesley Wood at the Regional Forum on 0113 394 2300 or email: lesley.wood@regionalforum.org.uk "Starting to Make Sense" can be downloaded below.

Transforming Government Procurement

Thu, 25 Jan 2007 00:00:00 +0000

John Healey MP, Financial Secretary to the Treasury has revealed his paper 'Transforming Government Procurement'. The paper aims to deliver a range of public procurement reforms to equip the UK with the capability to deliver world class public services in the face of the growing challenges of global competition, changing demograhics and increasing pressures on the environment. For further information and to download the paper use the following link Transforming Government Procurement

Together Government and Social Enterprises can improve millions of lives Ed Miliband

Wed, 24 Jan 2007 00:00:00 +0000

Ed Miliband, Minister for the Third Sector, called on social enterprises to work in partnership with government to realise their full potential as a movement for progressive social change. Speaking at Voice 07 on 24th January 07, the sectors annual conference, Mr Miliband outlined progress happening across Government to promote the work of social enterprises, and praised their capacity to have a profound impact on both business and public services alike. To read more about Ed Miliband's speach and the Voice 07 conference use the following link: Ed Miliband at Voice 07

Local Area Pathfinders Report

Wed, 17 Jan 2007 00:00:00 +0000

The Treasury and the Cabinet Office have now published the report from their local area Pathfinders Project, which sought to identify how selected local authorities could implement good commissioning and procurement practices and work with the third sector to add value to the delivery of local services. The report identifies critical success factors for partnerships between local authorities and the third sector to improve public services. The report will form part of the evidence base for the Third Sector Review. The full report is available on the Treasury website. Pathfinder Report

RISE Report on Social Enterpise Opportunities

Mon, 15 Jan 2007 00:00:00 +0000

Social Enterprises need to be aware of the opportunities that are being created in the public policy framework by the current positive political climate. The RISE report aims to:

Explain the context of these developments

Identify where there are opportunities for social enterprise

The report focuses on Social Enterprise in the South West, but many of the principles of the report are applicable throughout the UK. Social Firm Solution to Employability report

Social Enterprise Action Plan

Fri, 17 Nov 2006 00:00:00 +0000

The Chancellor, Gordon Brown, recently launched the government's 'Social Enterprise Action Plan: Scaling new heights' alongside Cabinet Office Ministers Hilary Armstrong and Ed Miliband. The plan aims to raise awareness of what social enterprises can achieve and encourage more people make a difference, either by involvement or investment. The Plan includes 31 short case studies of both enterprises and support bodies alongside a raft of government action points - download from: Social Enterprise Action Plan There is also a pilot discussion forum inviting comments on the Action Plan where Office of the Third Sector policy officials will participate and take note, at: http://digbig.com/4pfhg

VCS takes part in NEET Strategic Commissioning Forum

Wed, 01 Nov 2006 00:00:00 +0000

NEET strategic commissioning forum -LSC, Bradford 9th October 2006 Attended by Simon Cale on behalf of LearningNet/Regional Forum VCS learning and skills providers are engaged with the NEETs agenda (Young People Not in Education, Training or Employment) - an issue of real concern for Yorkshire and the Humber. A recent study shows that young people value VCS input because it meets their own needs and is independent of the statutory services. Now the Regional Forum has been asked to nominate a VCS representative to sit on the Yorkshire and Humber Strategic Commissioning Forum - to be chaired by Paul Jagger. At short notice Simon Cale of the National Children's Centre has taken up this place and as usual the Regional Forum will link between the VCS representative and the wider sector. Summary by Simon Cale The forum discussed and took presentations regarding the NEET position in Y+H. The planning process for 07/08 was presented by Liz Butcher, LSC. As part of the discussion, the group agreed that NEET commissioning via the LSC would take into account the opportunities that the VCS could offer in the Region. It was acknowledged that new models of partnership and consortium approaches by the VCS needed to be tested and that the 07/08 planning and commissioning cycle could reference this. The VCS in the Region were adapting to the new Regional LSC commissioning model, but it was pointed out, the small and medium sized VCS organisations that tend to carry out the front line delivery of NEET support work were finding it difficult to enter the Regional commissioning process. It was agreed that the larger VCS organisations in the Region involved in NEET work may be able to pilot a lead consortium approach that involved small and medium VCS organisations at local level regarding delivery to NEETS. Forum members agreed to follow through on this proposal with relevant network contacts. If you have any issues you wish to feed into this process contact simon.cale@nccuk.org.uk and copy to john.harris@regionalforum.org.uk

Launch of "Social Enterprise in Primary and Community Care"

Wed, 04 Oct 2006 00:00:00 +0100

Secretary of State for Health, Patricia Hewitt, has set out her vision for the role of social enterprise in the provision of health and social care services in a pamphlet published by the Social Enterprise Council (SEC). In the pamphlet, Patricia Hewitt outlines the Government's vision for a patient-centred NHS and describes the five core elements that she sees as crucial to the provider side of the health and social care system. She discusses the advantages of the third sector in providing health and social care services and outlines what the Government and NHS need to do to enable the third sector to fulfil its potential within these markets. To download a free copy of the publication please visit: Social Enterprise in Primary and Community Care

Yorkshire Forward Takes a Leading Rural Role

Fri, 25 Aug 2006 00:00:00 +0100

Yorkshire Forward will be increasing its area of responsibility to provide support for businesses and people in rural areas from January 2007, when the final phase of changes within the Modernising Rural Delivery (MRD) programme comes into effect. The MRD programme aims to provide a single source of support for people and businesses in rural areas by merging the social and economic work of the Countryside Agency and the Rural Development Service with that of Yorkshire Forward. For further details, visit Rural Support

The National Procurement Strategy for Local Government

Thu, 24 Aug 2006 00:00:00 +0100

Two years on - Consolidating progress, becoming more efficient This report sets out progress in the second year of the national procurement strategy (2005) and considers key strands of activity supporting the procurement agenda. Download the The National Procurement Strategy for Local Government Two Years On NB This is a rather large document and it may take a few moments to download.

Asset Ownership Report Encourages Community Groups

Tue, 01 Aug 2006 00:00:00 +0100

The government has been told to give community organisation new powers to manage and eventually own redundant buildings. The report from the government?s work group on community ownership and management of assets, made up of representatives of community organisations, said community ownership of assets could help the sector become secure. It recommended that communities be able to take ownership of assets in order to have something to borrow against and a way of generating an income stream - for example by renting out buildings. But it said it would take 20 years of political commitment and dedicated funding to build a healthy community sector. For further details, visit Community Ownership

Guide to Charities Starting Social Firms Launched

Fri, 21 Jul 2006 00:00:00 +0100

Social Firms UK has just launched, "A Guide To Charities Starting Social Firms". The guide, written by Geoff Cox of Economic Partnerships Ltd and commissioned by Social Firms UK, aims to assist charities that are considering setting up or 'floating off' a Social Firm. It focuses on the legal and technical aspects of the work. For further details, visit www.socialfirms.co.uk/news/index.php/item203.html

Breaking down barriers for the Third Sector

Thu, 20 Jul 2006 00:00:00 +0100

Primary Care Trusts (PCTs) will be encouraged to consider local voluntary, community and social enterprise organisations when commissioning health and social care services thanks to a new report launched by the Department of Health's third sector taskforce. The Third Sector Commissioning Task Force report sets out practical tools for PCTs, advising them how to make the most of the third sector, which can bring additional benefits to patients and service users with a wide range of high-quality and personalised services. It also advises the third sector how to bid more successfully for contracts, providing a proposed model contract for discussion. For further details, visit Breaking down barriers

Social Enterprise in Health and Social Care

Tue, 16 May 2006 00:00:00 +0100

A briefing paper on Health and Social Care Policy from the Social Enterprise Coalition, which is looking to secure a greater role for social enterprise in the delivery of health and social care services, can be downloaded from the Social Enterprise Network pages of the NHS Networks site. www.networks.nhs.uk/networks.php?pid=155

Opening up 'small' public contracts

Tue, 02 May 2006 00:00:00 +0100

A website advertising public sector contracts worth up to £100,000 and open for tender has been launched at www.supply2.gov.uk

Social Enterprise and Community-based Care

Mon, 17 Apr 2006 00:00:00 +0100

Community-based organisations risk being left behind in the race to enter the primary care market unless the government does more to support them, according to a report from the King's Fund, an independent charitable foundation working for better health. 'Social Enterprise and Community-based Care' suggests that the government could do more to support those seeking to set up social enterprise organisations. Please see the following links for more information: Press release Publication

Helping Charities tackle Financial Inclusion

Thu, 13 Apr 2006 00:00:00 +0100

A Financial Inclusion Taskforce campaign, funded from the government's Financial Inclusion Fund, will provide training and tools to charities and housing associations to help them help their clients to open bank accounts and obtain affordable credit. Treasury press release Credit union body ABCUL news

Boosting enterprising communities

Fri, 10 Mar 2006 00:00:00 +0000

A manifesto to create 500 "high quality and sustainable development trusts across the UK" over the next 5 to 10 years has been published by the Development Trusts Association. They want each to have assets of at least £1 million, helping to create local prosperity and tackle poverty in areas of market failure. One of the actions called for is a 'community right to buy' similar to that in Scotland, which has already had tentative government support. News item at www.dta.org.uk/Content/current_activities/news.htm or go direct to the Manifesto Please note the Manifesto file is large (1MB) and may take a few moments to download

Local Enterprise Growth Initiative

Tue, 21 Feb 2006 00:00:00 +0000

The Local Enterprise Growth Initiative (LEGI) was announced by the Chancellor in his 2005 Budget and aims to release the economic and productivity potential of the most deprived local areas across the country through enterprise and investment thereby boosting local incomes and employment opportunities, and building sustainable communities. This webpage is the main place to find out about the Local Enterprise Growth Initiative (LEGI). It is for local authorities which have already submitted a bid, or plan to in the future, small businesses and voluntary organisations which want to find out about LEGI in their local areas. The webpage will be updated frequently with the latest LEGI news and information, including progress of successful bids.

Securing Social Enterprise's Place in the Economy

Fri, 27 Jan 2006 00:00:00 +0000

Speaking at the recent annual social enterprise conference, the Rt. Hon Alun Michael MP, Minister for Industry and the Regions, stressed that securing social enterprise's place in the business landscape is key for the continued prosperity of the economy. Alun Michael outlined some of the main areas that will be focused on in the Government's new social enterprise action plan to be launched in the spring. He said: "The people running social enterprises are vital not just for Britain's economic success, but for their contribution to tackling many social and environmental issues, combining an entrepreneurial flair with a commitment to giving something back to the community. That is why we are committed to encouraging and supporting the sector, to ensure that it is in the best position to grow. "The new action plan is about aiming for the next level of growth in social enterprise. It aims to secure social enterprise's place within the business landscape, and help embed it in our economy as part of the mainstream. "It is also important for the social enterprise sector to recognise, and celebrate the need to make a profit to survive and grow, and demonstrate that social enterprise is truly entrepreneurial." The new action plan will build on the Government's strategy for social enterprise that was launched in 2002 and has helped to raise the sector's profile. Key achievements from this strategy include:

The successful launch of Community Interest Companies, the legal structure designed specifically for social enterprise - all of which use their activity, profits and assets to help local communities; and

The first national social enterprise day - part of a successful enterprise week which involved over a quarter of a million young people taking part in over 4,000 events.

DTI research has showed that there are approximately 15,000 social enterprises in the UK with a combined turnover of 18 billion pounds. This represents a contribution to national GDP of over 5 billion pounds a year.

Learning from Sector Investment

Thu, 20 Oct 2005 00:00:00 +0100

Futurebuilders England, the body that aims to improve sector capacity to deliver public services via a combination of loan and grant finance, has published 'Investment with a Difference'. This looks at initial learning points from its experience so far, where they have made 90 investments totalling £35 million. They say that "Key findings show that more than 70% of Futurebuilders investees have not borrowed before, and a quarter of investees are black and minority ethnic managed voluntary organisations". Go to Futurebuilders front page, www.futurebuilders-england.org.uk for links to the summary or full report both in pdf format.

Community Right to Community Assets

Thu, 13 Oct 2005 00:00:00 +0100

A Community Right to Buy introduced in Scotland two years ago is being seriously considered for wider application by the government, according to Communities Minister David Miliband. Community groups would have first refusal to buy publicly owned assets in their area at a discount, and would also have the power to buy under-used or derelict facilities such as community halls and public spaces. For further details about the scheme, please click here

Experiential Learning in the Voluntary Sector (ELVS)

Mon, 11 Apr 2005 00:00:00 +0100

cbc, Centre of Excellence for Social Economy Development in the West Midlands, has been working with 10 VCS infrastructure organisations supporting them in the areas of social enterprise development and organisational change and sustainability since March 2005. The ELVS project was based upon the findings of two years of research conducted with the sector and implemented the Social Enterprise Mindset Model, a framework that puts social enterprise into a voluntary and community sector context. ELVS provided training, advise and mentoring to participating councils for voluntary service, in order to build the capacity of VCS infrastructure organisations to provide high quality assistance to groups and organisations considering social enterprise as an option. ELVS was also an impetus for organisational change within these organisations and supported chief executives to adopt a more enterprising approach to the long-term sustainability of their organisations. cbc is now interested in hearing from infrastructure organisations in other regions who would be interested in accessing this type of support. If it is possible to identify a group of CVS in a particular region who are interested, cbc will look for resources to work with that group. To find out more, please contact Ranjit Bansal, Research and Strategy Director at cbc on 0121 553 2620 or email: ranjit.bansal@socialeconomy.org

Midlife and the Social Economy

Mon, 11 Apr 2005 00:00:00 +0100

Jane Lethbridge, a health policy consultant has been commissioned by the Yorkshire and Humber Regional Ageing Panel to develop a report on Promoting the well-being of people in midlife in Yorkshire and Humber region. She is working with colleagues from York Research Partnership, Centre for Research and Evaluation, Sheffield Hallam University and the Public Health GIS unit, Sheffield University. The report will be used to influence the review of the Yorkshire and Humber region Regional Economic Strategy which is due to start in late May 2005. The Regional Ageing Panel would like to be able to draw from a detailed analysis of how the midlife age group (50-69 years) experience some of the opportunities and barriers to expanding employment and income and the effects these have on their health and well being in the region. This will enable the Regional Ageing Panel to make recommendations about how regional agencies could target the needs of this group more effectively. Jane would be very grateful if you could download the questions below and return your answers to her by 30th April 2005. If you have any queries about this work, you can contact Jane by email: j.lethbridge@globalnet.co.uk

Sustainable Procurement Guides and Services

Thu, 17 Mar 2005 00:00:00 +0000

The Yorkshire and Humber Assembly has recently commissioned work to produce a short guide on sustainable procurement for public sector bodies. This guide can be downloaded by clicking here Sustainable Procurement Guide The Assembly has also compiled a list of useful weblinks to other procurement guides and services. To download the list of weblinks, please click here Procurement Services

Social Audit Network

Wed, 09 Feb 2005 00:00:00 +0000

The Social Audit Network (SAN) email list is a network of over 750 people in the UK and abroad who are interested in the theory and practice of social accounting and audit for social enterprises and community organisations. The network is there not only to send out information but to be used as a way of contacting other people and spreading information about what you are doing. To subscribe to the network, send an email to: SANsocialauditnetwork-subscribe@yahoogroups.co.uk

Community Interest Companies

Mon, 24 Jan 2005 00:00:00 +0000

This website provides information on Community Interest Companies - a new type of company, designed for social enterprises who want to use their profits and assets for the public good. It is updated on a regular basis with details of the role of the Regulator of Community Interest Companies having been added most recently. To view the website, visit www.dti.gov.uk/cics

Regional Forum News

Sector's big ideas on Big Society

Commissioning and procurement: great ideas from a buzzing conference

VCS quarterly confidence survey for Yorkshire and the Humber - June

Government says what it means by Big Society

VCS quarterly confidence survey for Yorkshire and the Humber

Report on the work of Yorkshire Forward

BIG £250k helps youth Make their Mark on social enterprise

Councils shouldn't cut out third sector in efficiency drive

Charity Awards 2010 are now open for entries

New Director General for the OTS

The Queen's Speech

Social enterprise man goes all the way 'to test state of the sector'

Exceptional pressures will alter the face of the voluntary sector

All Inclusive? Third sector involvement in regional and sub-regional policymaking

Big Lottery Fund unveils new funding strategy

Social Enterprise Yorkshire and the Humber Awards nominations

Yorkshire Forward looks for new Board Members

Angela Smith named new third sector minister

Surviving NOT Thriving - recession impact in the North East

Health of the 'VCS' survey 2009/10

The Budget: verdict from the sector

New LSC Qualified Provider Framework Begins

Train to Gain Enhancement Fund

At last, at long, long last! Government announces a new Third Sector Skills Council

Potentially Good Capital News for LSC funded learning providers

Upcoming Training for Infrastructure Organisations

Chair of the Yorkshire and Humber Assembly, welcomes the publication of the Yorkshire and Humber Plan

NCVO Barclays Leadership Programme 2008 - apply now for an excellent Leeds opportunity!

Big Lottery funding for ground breaking on-line learning resource for charity workers and volunteers

"Now's the time..." Regional Minister makes first speech

Community Empowerment Workshops

Progress in the Region 2007

Regional Forum Annual Review 2006 - 2007

The Queen's Speech 2007

FOOTSEY 2007 round up

Regional Compact Launch

First UK Social Enterprise Job Site launched

Department of Health opens £73m investment fund for Social Enterprise programmes

Third Sector Review Final Report Published

Social Clauses in Public Service Contracts

Asset Transfer Pilots Announced

New report about business support services for social enterprises

Futurebuilders concerns about contracting

The Brown Government and Learning and Skills

Charity Bank Heads North

Great interest in Community Interest Companies

Government puts £3 million behind the voice of social enterprise

Co-operatives and Credit Union Review Consultation

Still Difficult to Achieve Full Cost Recovery

Unison reports voice concerns about the impact of public service delivery on working conditions in the voluntary sector

Stock Exchange for Social Enterprises

New Charity Trading Guidance

Discussion paper released about the second phase of the Futurebuilders Fund

New Campaign to promote the importance of Grant Aid

New Rural Community Enterprise Challenge Fund

New Social Enterprise Ambassadors schme

Community Assets Fund Consultation

2007 Social Enterprise Awards Launched

New report examines how Social Enterprises can overcome barriers to growth

Healthy Business: A new guide to Social Enterprise in Health and Social Care

Budget 2007: Impact on the Third Sector

"Futureskills" - our regional Skills Action Plan

Making Partnerships Work: Examples of good practice in Health and Adult Social Care

Consultation on the commissioning framework for health and well-being

Health is Global: prospects for a UK Government - wide strategy

The Edge Upstarts Awards: Recognising Social Enterprise

New Social Enterprise Business Planning Guide

Top Tips on Commissioning and Purchasing

Multi-million pound social enterprise fund unveiled

£200,00 Government Pilots to help social enterprises raise private sector investment

Department of Health Third Sector Market Mapping report

What Future for Third Sector Commissioning?

Transforming Government Procurement

Together Government and Social Enterprises can improve millions of lives  Ed Miliband

Local Area Pathfinders Report

RISE Report on Social Enterpise Opportunities

Social Enterprise Action Plan

VCS takes part in NEET Strategic Commissioning Forum

Launch of "Social Enterprise in Primary and Community Care"

Together Government and Social Enterprises can improve millions of lives Ed Miliband