Where we’ve come from...and where we’re headed

A short review of 2012 and our plans for 2013 and beyond

Community and Voluntary Action Tameside (CVAT) is a Registered Charity (No: 1148056)

Company Limited by Guarantee (No: 7930346)

Since then, we have been working hard to bring the two organisations together and to create a vision of delivering excellent services supporting voluntary, community and faith groups and volunteers in the borough. CVAT brings together the best elements of both founder organisations and provides a strong foundation from which to build.

We want CVAT to be effective and efficient. The founder board of CVAT have worked tirelessly to develop a clear strategy going forward, and we hope that pages 4–5 of this document show, in an easy to understand way, how we will achieve our mission to build and support strong, vibrant volunteering, community and voluntary action in Tameside.

Bringing the two organisations together helps us to reduce duplication, and to make the most of the resources that we have. CVAT became operational from 1 October 2012, with all staff being employed by the new organisation and we have merged teams of staff where appropriate.

We created an exciting new visual branding for the organisation and our new ‘magazine style’ quarterly newsletter launched in September 2012 and has been well received.

Thanks to all of the organisations that have financially supported our work over the last year:

» Tameside Metropolitan Borough Council

» Tameside and Glossop Primary Care Trust

» New Charter Housing Trust

» Esme Fairburn Foundation

» Cabinet Office, through Transforming Local Infrastructure funding

» Hattersely Neighbourhood Partnership

» CLINKs

» Department of Health

Where we’ve come from... and where we’re headed

In December 2011 members of Tameside Third Sector Coalition (T3SC) and Volunteer Centre (VCT) approved the merger of the two organisations to form Community and Voluntary Action Tameside (CVAT).

The CVAT board

We would like to thank our initial trustees, who are all volunteers, for their dedicated service during the last year in overseeing the formation of CVAT.

Chair Joyce Howarth

Vice chair Simon Walker

Treasurer Anne Parkes

Trustees Maria Bailey Tim Baines Nick D’Anzi Roger Farnworth John Rutherford Phil Spence

Some headlines about our work in the last year

9 We helped 387 volunteers into volunteering opportunities with 326 new opportunities

9 We trained 133 volunteers

9 Our development team provided advice and information to 104 local groups

9 We helped local groups secure over £874,500 of funding

9 We launched a new online funding portal, making it easier for groups to search for funding

9 Over 1,500 connected with us online through our e-bulletins, twitter feed and Facebook presence

9 We ensured over £730,000 was available to the voluntary and community sector in Tameside through our grant management activities which benefitted over 200 groups

9 814 hours were exchanged through our Timebanking schemes across the borough

9 Our Miles of Smiles car scheme undertook 11,825 journeys, totalling 66,911 miles, taking local people to medical appointments

9 We held our first Pride of Tameside Volunteer and Community Awards, recognising the achievements of over 200 volunteers and 50 Community groups.

9 We developed and launched Tameside 4 Good, providing a vehicle to encourage local people and businesses to support local good causes

9 Faiths United engaged with local communities to promote community cohesion and pro-actively address tensions in Hyde. This included a strong and visible, peaceful presence during demonstrations, issuing a press release about the situation and hosting a meeting of partners as a follow up with recommendations forwarded to the Supportive Communities Partnership.

9 Tameside LINk has continued to engage with local people around health and care services. We surveyed local people about their experience of transport to medical appointments and used this information to bring local people, commissioners and providers together to discuss how these services could be improved. We talked to people about care homes and were reassured to find their areas of concern were all inspected regularly by the Care Quality Commission and by Tameside Council as part of their contract monitoring. We have also continued to engage with Tameside Hospital to discuss their plans to improve care and the patient experience.

9 We supported the development of Better Futures Tameside, a consortium for children, young people and families voluntary sector providers, to enable them to take advantage of future commissioning opportunities

9 80 people attended our Voice, Community Rights Made Real event in March 2012, designed to improve knowledge about the new community rights designed to give local people the chance to take action on local services, assets and development

9 We supported local Black, Minority, Ethnic (BME) groups to create a ‘Menu of Services’ which provides an introduction and insight into some of the dedicated community groups who serve the BME community in Tameside.

9 91% of Voice event participants in 2012 said that they gained useful new information from the events they attended.

9 We recruited two new Community Organisers who have interviewed over 800 residents, giving them a chance to have their say and helping local people, who have never been involved in any type of community action or projects before, volunteering time and energy.

Despite it being a year of change for the organisation itself we have not stood still.

Our mission, aims and objectives

The overarching mission of CVAT is to build, and support strong, vibrant volunteering, community and voluntary action in Tameside.

To achieve our vision and mission, the organisation has five clear strategic aims. These are further broken down into a number of objectives.

Any potential work that CVAT considers undertaking is judged against these objectives, to ensure that the organisation remains true to its mission and does not suffer from ‘mission drift’.

Aim Outcome we are seeking

Aim

1

Cap

acit

y B

uild

ing To develop and strengthen

Voluntary Community and Faith Organisations (VCFOs) to survive and thrive.

Tameside voluntary, community and faith organisations are better resourced, skilled, managed and informed, enabling them to deliver high quality services to their users.

Aim

2

Volu

ntee

ring To build a strong vibrant

base for volunteering and voluntary activity.

Stronger communities in which people are actively involved and able to make a positive contribution through volunteering. Communities where everyone has the motivation and opportunity to volunteer, and are supported in their action to have a positive experience that is of benefit to everyone.

Aim

3

Co

mm

unit

ies To champion diverse

local communities and empower them to identify needs and develop appropriate responses.

Stronger and increased levels of community action resulting in reduced levels of inequality and deprivation.

Aim

4

Par

tner

ship

s To promote and support influential, effective partnerships within the voluntary community and faith sector (VCFS), and with other sectors

A stronger and more influential voluntary community and faith sector, which is appreciated as a key effective partner in the development of policies, strategies, communities and services. A cohesive voluntary community and faith sector which recognises and celebrates its own differences and diversity.

Aim

5

Our

O

rgan

isat

ion To develop CVAT as an

efficient, effective and sustainable organisation

CVAT as a robust and secure organisation which has provides high quality effective services and is highly valued in its role by local partners and the local community.

High level key performance measures (KPIs) that will allow us to demonstrate that we are meeting our aims and outcomes we are seeking include:

9 Levels of satisfaction with our services (annual customer satisfaction survey)

9 State of the sector survey showing number of VCFS organisations, levels of volunteering and employment in the sector

9 Levels of volunteering as measured through the Citizens Survey

9 Proportion of residents who feel they get on well together, as measured through the Citizens Survey

Our values

CVAT

9 embraces and celebrates the diversity of the individuals, groups and communities in Tameside that it serves

9 believes that equality of opportunity is a fundamental right, and will work pro-actively to put this into practice

9 values the contribution which volunteers make to society

9 believes in the equal importance of all sectors (public, corporate and third sectors)

9 believes that preference should be given to working corroboratively and in partnership with agencies in all sectors to maximise the benefits to the groups that it supports

9 will seek to empower voluntary and community groups, maintaining a delicate balance between helping groups and maintaining their independence

9 will ensure our services are visible to the communities we serve

1.11.2

1.3

1.4

1.5

2.1

2.2

2.3

2.4

2.5

3.1

3.2

3.3

4.1

4.2

4.3

4.4

4.5

5.1

5.25.3

CAPACITY BUILDING

VOLUNTEERING

COMMUNITY

PART

NERS

HIPS

OUR ORGANISATION

To increase the levels and types of funding

available to the sector and maximise the ability of VCFOs to secure resources to meet needs

To build the skills and knowledge of the sector workforce (trustees,

staff and volunteers) to confidently

establish and run their organisation

effectively

To improve the capacity,

quality & profile of VCFOs by providing support

about good governance, quality systems, business planning,

measuring effectiveness, environmental sustainability, financial management,

influencing & marketing To support VCFOs to develop a sustainable

funding model including strategic planning and diversifying their income

streams

To increase the accessibility to relevant

information, new opportunities and practical resources to VCFOs to support

their organisation

To lead on developing and delivering Tameside’s Volunteering Strategy

To provide and promote high quality volunteer brokerage

services and volunteering opportunities

To Campaign for a “Volunteer Friendly

Society”

To improve the effectiveness of

organisations working with volunteers and of

volunteers

To support the development of new and existing

services in response to changing demands

around volunteering

To develop the quality and level of consultation,

engagement and involvement of

local communities, including and enabling those currently under

represented

To support communities to develop

sustainable, asset based solutions to

meet neighbourhood needs

To champion cooperative action

to deliver positive changes across

Tameside’s communities especially targeting greater equality

To initiate, develop and support strong relationships within the VCFS, and

betweenthe VCFS and other sectors

To increase the level of collaborative working between

the VCFS

To develop (a) strong voluntary and community sector voice(s), collectively and for individual groups, and to support this so that the VCFS is listened to and

influential in strategic arenas

To increase the contribution

and feedback of the VCFS to the achievement of prominent local

strategies and strategies related to VCFS priorities, especially championing greater

equality in Tameside

To establish Tameside 4 Good as a mechanism to

engage private sector and local residents with the VCS

To develop a sustainable funding strategy and funding

streams, including trading activity

To value and invest in our staff, trustees and

volunteers

To demonstrate our impact and quality of

services

Aim 5: To develop CVAT as an efficient, effective and sustainable organisation

Aim 1: To develop and strengthen Voluntary Community and Faith Organisations

(VCFOs) to survive & thrive

Aim 2: To build a strong vibrant base

for volunteering and voluntary activityAim 3:

To champion diverse local communities & empower them

to identify needs & developing appropriate responses

Aim 4: To promote and support

influential, effective partnerships within the

voluntary community and faith sector (VCFS),

and other sectors

CVAT’s Mission To build and

support strong, vibrant volunteering, community

and voluntary action in Tameside

Key strategic actions and areas for development in 2013 and beyond are:

9 Launching a specialist support fund, enabling local groups to access bursaries for specialist support to enable them to survive and thrive

9 Awarding the first ‘Tameside 4 Good’ grants

9 Redeveloping our website and e-bulletins, to ensure that we continue to provide a range of quality, timely and accessible information to our stakeholders

9 Considering how CVAT can shelter other organisations, possibly as part of a ‘group’ or ‘family’ structure

9 Widening access to our volunteering brokerage service, through outreach and extended opening hours of the Volunteer Centre

9 Working with a range of partners on how the current gap in relation to encouraging and supporting under 21s to volunteer can be filled.

9 Sustaining our volunteer involving projects including Miles of Smiles and Timebanking

9 Continuing to raise the profile of volunteering in the borough, and the benefits it can bring, through developing and facilitating a steering group to support the implementation of the Tameside Volunteering Strategy; developing a common / standardised methodology for volunteer involving organisations to measure the amount and value that volunteers contribute; developing volunteer champions/ advocates role, across voluntary, community and faith, private and statutory sectors, with champions promoting the benefits of volunteering within their organisation, advocating best practice

9 Continuing to facilitate a range of mechanisms for individuals to get involved within their local communities.

Looking forward

We know that 2013 is going to be a difficult year financially for many voluntary and community groups, and that includes CVAT. We expect to see a further, significant, reduction in funding for our services during the year, and are actively seeking alternative funding, including generating more of our own income, through a range of services promoted through CVAT plus+.

Despite this reduction in funding, we are improving the support that we offer and ensuring that we provide a responsive, needs driven service.

9 Considering how we can make one-off and micro volunteering opportunities available, both within our projects (most notably Tameside 4 Good) and also support other volunteer involving organisations to consider the benefits of one off volunteers

9 Building on our track record of effectively being the LINk host organisation since 2008 to be a key delivery partner in the establishment and delivery of Healthwatch in Tameside within the CVAT family. Healthwatch will help local people have a say about the provision of health and social care services.

9 Continuing to facilitate Voice as a ‘voluntary and community sector assembly’: a focal point of the interaction between the VCFS and partners. We will consider how, with reduced resources, this function maximises impact and remains responsive to the changing needs of partners and VCFS organisations

9 We will continue to ensure sector representation is robust and recognised in a range of fora and with decision making bodies, and that sector representatives are supported appropriately to carry out their roles

9 We will consider how we can make greater use of technology to enable virtual networking, campaigning and informing, building on our already useful experience of tools such as Yammer, YouTube and Twitter

9 Ensuring we retain our ability to respond to emerging issues – recent examples include Foodbanks and poverty; community safety and Police and Crime Commissioners.

9 Where appropriate we will assist the sector to develop formal collaborative structures to allow them to bid for contracts, building on the experience in setting up Better Futures Tameside

9 We will continue to invest in our staff and volunteers to ensure that they are equipped to fulfil their roles

9 Reviewing the quality awards retained by CVAT, ensuring that these remain valid and suitable for the organisations’ needs, undertaking additional quality standards if deemed appropriate

9 Examine the potential barriers for groups in accessing CVAT services, with the aim of addressing these where possible, in order to make services more accessible to those who may be subject to discrimination

9 Diversifying our own income base, and increasing the level of income generating activity that we undertake, through clarifying our ‘core’ offer (which is free) and our CVAT plus+ services, which will be chargeable. CVAT plus+ services currently include bespoke training, consultancy and business planning; CRB (DBS) checks; marketing and design services.

These are, of course, just a summary of our plans: a full copy of our strategic plan for 2012-2015 can be obtained by emailing info@cvat.org.uk.

We would welcome your thoughts and comments on our plans.

Our services

Community and Voluntary Action Tameside (CVAT) is a Registered Charity (No: 1148056)

Company Limited by Guarantee (No: 7930346)

Development services

One-to-one capacity building support, including funding information and advice, for Voluntary & Community Organisations in Tameside.

Contact Naomi or Dawn on 0161 339 4985, naomi.sampson@cvat.org.uk, dawn.acton@cvat.org.uk

Volunteering services

Including brokerage (matching both individuals and groups interested in volunteering with appropriate opportunities in the local community); marketing volunteering locally and promoting good practice in volunteer management to organisations; developing local volunteering opportunities; identifying and responding to proposals or legislation that may impact on volunteering.

Contact Ben, Paul, Vashti on 0161 339 2345 or email ben.stoddard@cvat.org.uk, paul.moss@cvat.org.uk or vashti.holland@cvat.org.uk

Policy & Participation

Supporting groups and providing a policy function and developing the voice of local community and community action via a range of networks and associated activity.

Telephone the team on 0161 339 4985 or email Voice ben.gilchrist@cvat.org.uk BME and BME Women’s Networks mohamed.seedat@cvat.org.uk Older People’s Network, Faiths United mohamed.seedat@cvat.org.uk Health and Social Care Network anna.hynes@cvat.org.uk Children & Young People’s Network veronica.hyde@cvat.org.uk

Brighter Futures

Helping individuals use volunteering as a way into employment.

Contact Ben on 0161 339 2345 or email ben.stoddard@cvat.org.uk

Breaking the Record

Supporting volunteer involving organisations to recruit ex-offenders as volunteers.

Contact Vashti, 0161 339 2345 or email vashti.holland@cvat.org.uk

LINk (Local Involvement Network)

Helping local people have their say on health and social care issues.

Contact Peter, Ruth, Tahmena or Julie on 0161 339 4985 or email peter.denton@cvat.org.uk; ruth.madden@cvat.org.uk, tahmena.khan@cvat.org.uk, julie.beech@cvat.org.uk

Timebanking

A project that encourages people to exchange skills and time. An hour given to another earns one time credit which they can save, donate or spend.

Contact Elaine or Julie on 0161 339 2345 or email elaine.watkins@cvat.org.uk or julie.cunliffe@cvat.org.uk

Miles of Smiles

A community transport scheme using volunteers to help people attend medical appointments.

Contact Sam on 0161 339 2345 or email sam.ross@cvat.org.uk

Tameside 4 Good

An initiative to help local people and businesses give time, skills and money to local good causes.

Contact Amy on 0161 339 4985, amy.watson@cvat.org.uk or Riona on 0161 339 2345, riona.doidge@cvat.org.uk

Central Services

Facilities management, financial control and administrative support, personnel management.

Contact Helen or Sam on 0161 339 4985, helen.tallents@cvat.org.uk, samantha.mcnicholls@cvat.org.uk, or Kelly on 0161 339 2345, kelly.chadwick@cvat.org.uk

Senior management

Chief Executive Tony Okotie 0161 339 4985 tony.okotie@cvat.org.uk

Director of Volunteering and Deputy Chief Executive Sue Vickers 0161 339 2345, sue.vickers@cvat.org.uk