CASCADE

cascadeNo. 8 www.casouthwark.org.uk August – September 2009

community action southwark creating a stronger voluntary and community sector

The lost zoo of WalworthAlso in this issue:

A new voice for Southwark’s voluntary andcommunity sector – pages 10 and 11

Who's who at CAS

cascadewww.casouthwark.org.uk2 | August – September 2009

Chris SanfordChief Executive020 7703 [email protected]

Chief Executive

Claudine Bongo Director of CommunityDevelopment020 7358 [email protected]

Lina Maria UsmaCommunity DevelopmentSupport Worker - LatinAmerican Communities020 7358 4172 07904 983 [email protected]

Krystle Lai Community DevelopmentSupport Worker - SierraLeonean Community020 7358 418307904 983 [email protected]

Mark DrinkwaterCommunityDevelopment Officer020 7358 [email protected]

Community Development

Chris ToddDirector of CapacityBuilding020 7358 [email protected]

Wendy McGuireFunding Advice Officer 020 7358 [email protected]

Rachael McGillFunding Advice Officer020 7358 [email protected]

Lynne Gillett STeP – Trustee ProjectOfficer020 7358 [email protected]

Teklu HaileVoluntary and CommunitySector PropertyDevelopment Officer020 7358 [email protected]

Glen Cosserat Children's WorkforceDevelopment ProjectOfficer020 7358 [email protected]

Capacity Building

Seyi MadariolaDirector of Operations andICT020 7358 [email protected]

Clare CowenHead of Communications020 7358 [email protected]

Lorenzer FentonHead of Administration020 7358 [email protected]

Roda Mbonde Administrative Officer020 7358 [email protected]

Operations and ICT

For a large print version contact Clare on 020 7703 2368 or [email protected]

Community Action SouthwarkVoluntary Sector Resource Centre8th Floor, Hannibal HouseElephant and CastleLondon SE1 6TEt: 020 7703 2368f: 020 7703 9393e: [email protected]: www.casouthwark.org.ukCommunity Action Southwark is theCouncil for Voluntary Service inSouthwark.Charity No. 1105835

Cascade is published six times a year. It isposted to 1,600 voluntary and communityorganisations and 300 statutory addressesin Southwark and displayed freeelsewhere. Use it to publicise yourmessage or promote your activities!Publication dates: 6 October (Copy deadline 4 September)8 December (copy deadline 6 November)

Advertising rates:Full page: £200, half page £100, quarterpage £50 (FREE to CAS members,space permitting)Insert rates per A4 sheet: CASmembers: £75. Statutory and privateorganisations: £150 For all enquiries about CASCADE,please contact Clare Cowen (see p2)

Director of Policy andParticipation

Post Vacant

Enoch MuwangaFaith and HealthDevelopment Officer(Children and Families)020 7358 [email protected]

Muna DhiriyePartnership OutreachOfficer020 7358 [email protected]

Mary Braid Play Development Officer020 7358 [email protected]

Policy and Participation

Contents

cascade www.casouthwark.org.uk August – September 2009 | 3

Contents

Community and Local News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-7

Children and Families . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-9

Policy and Partnership . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-11

Comment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Southwark Trustee Project . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-13

Volunteer Centre Southwark . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14-15

Information Communication Technology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

Capacity Building . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 + 20

Community Development . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18-19

News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

Funding and Training . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22-23

Notices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

Editorial

communityaction

southwarkIn May, CAS began an internalrestructure process. This followed onfrom and responded to our externalstakeholder events, which told us thatwe should provide support andrepresentation for the sector. In addition,we wanted to deal with the following: � Detailed representation in adult and

children’s health and social care, but no or little representation in other areas, e.g. environment, housing, safety, employment and skills.

� A surplus of internal administrative roles.

� A budget deficit for 2009/10. Following the interview process, the

restructure will create the following fourdepartments at CAS (successfulcandidates in brackets) and solve theabove issues:1. Director of Capacity Building (ChrisTodd) -To support the formal part of theThird Sector – both larger establishedcharities and smaller organisations at thestage of setting up their structure.2. Director of CommunityDevelopment (Claudine Bongo) - Tosupport the informal part of the ThirdSector, e.g. unconstituted communitygroups.3. Director of Policy and Participation(vacant) - To oversee the representationor ‘voice’ function of CAS for the wholesector, including adult and children’shealth and social care.4. Director of Operations and ICT (SeyiMadariola) - To oversee the back-officefunction, streamline and pool resources.

As a result of the restructure, a numberof CAS employees will be leaving us,and I would like to thank them for theirservice:� Yvonne Watkins-Knight (Head of

Partnership) � Natalia Sali (Head of Children and

Families) � Ann Odubonojo (Administrative Officer) � Ken Mulenga (Head of Finance)

We will shortly advertise (externally) theDirector of Policy and Participation post.In the interim, I will personally cover anumber of responsibilities, and othermembers of the CAS team will be asked

Southwark, primarily as part of themacrostructure of the LSP. Furtherinformation about this review of externalrepresentation structures is on pages 10-11 and members and stakeholders willhave the opportunity to shape the design.

Finally, I think this puts CAS in a strongposition on which to build exemplaryand strategic service provision, whichwill be our priority over the next fewmonths. Should you need furtherinformation please don’t hesitate tocontact me.

Chris Sanford, Chief Executive

to cover further responsibilities. I shouldemphasise that there is no change in thecommitment or engagement we havewith our voluntary sector and statutorypartners, especially children and adulthealth and social care providers, and inthat sense, it is business as usual.However, I expect that, as a result ofthese changes, our relationships willmature and develop to become morestrategic and fruitful.

This internal restructure has dovetailedneatly with consultation on the externalrepresentation structures within

We are pleased to welcome Helen Rice as the new Chair ofCAS’s Board of Trustees, following elections for officerposts. Les Alden is now the Vice Chair and David Stockremains Treasurer.

Helen is the Chief Executive at Blackfriars Advice Centre, andpreviously managed the Charity Commission help linesadvising on charity law and regulatory reform as well as charitymanagement and governance. She has chaired two trusteeboards, the most recent being the Women’s Resource Centre.

We would like to thank Les for his long service. He has spentsignificant time and effort in steering CAS to its current successful position and thatis a substantial legacy for him and us to be proud of.

CAS’s other trustees remain: James Gillespie, Kola Abiola, Helena Kowalska, VivOyolu, Velma Bennett, Christopher Wilson, Mac Rzonca, Pat Batt.

Community and Local News


Harriet Harman MP visits the respitecentre

What’s your story? Young Southwark wants to hear it

Do you have a storyabout working withchildren, youngpeople or families?Young Southwark,the borough’schildren’s trust,wants to hear it.

The trust iscurrently shapingpolicy for its 2010-13 Children and

Young People's Plan. Having held anumber of strategic conversations withkey partners in recent weeks, it nowwants to hear the views of parents andfrontline staff from the public, voluntaryand community sectors.

It is running storytelling consultationevents over the summer. They are youropportunity to help shape how servicesare designed in the future. YoungSouthwark wants you to tell it whatworks, and what can be improved todeliver better outcomes for our children,young people and families.

The events will be challenging andentertaining – they will be attended bychildren, young people and families aswell as colleagues from across thepartnership and community and

voluntary sectors.The first events were held at the end of

July on provision for early years andchildren with learning difficulties and/ordisabilities. The next events are inSeptember:� Tuesday, 8 September, 6-8pm

Creating positive experiences for young people Ministry of Sound, 103 Gaunt Street SE1 6DP

� Tuesday, 15 September, 2-4pm Helping your family make healthy choices Thurlow Lodge, Ground Floor,Wendover, 1 Thurlow Street SE17 2US

� Monday, 21 September, 4.30-6.30pm Making every school outstandingHarris Bermondsey Academy, 55 Southwark Park Road SE16 3TZ

� Wednesday, 23 September, 5.30-7.30pm Preparing young people for adulthood Jerwood Space, 171 UnionStreet SE1 0LNThe trust is also holding events

especially for parents, where it wants tohear about their experiences of being aparent or caring for children. If you canhelp Young Southwark promote theseevents to the children, young people andfamilies you work with, please get intouch with the team. Details are alsoavailable on the CAS website.

For more information or to book a placeat an event, contact the team on

020 7525 3674 [email protected],

or go towww.southwark.gov.uk/youngsouthwark

A respite centre for the evacuatedtenants of Lakanal House has been setup at Bells Gardens Community Centre,Peckham.

Following the tragic fire in LakanalHouse, Sceaux Garden’s Estate, onFriday 3 July, an initial shelter wasprovided by the Baptist Church inBushey Hill Road, then at Lettsom andCator Street.

The Bells Garden respite centre isproviding a space for tenants to meetand get support, including clothes,meals, advice and counselling. Therehas been a tremendous response fromSouthwark Tenants’ and Residents’Associations (TRAs) as well as individualtenants who have donated second handclothes, baby clothes, toys and toiletries.

TRAs have also donated money whichhas been spent on new clothes andbaby things. The coordinators of therespite operations are TRA

offering legal services on a no-win, no-fee basis.

Southwark tenants’ federation SGTOhave been on hand to service requestsfrom the coordinators as well asextending the opening hours of theresource centre for those tenants whoneed access to computers, internet andphotocopying.

It is anticipated that the relief operationwill be winding up in the next few weeks.

Information provided by SGTO

representatives including John McGrath(Chair of Sceaux Gardens TRA), NancyMcNab (Treasurer, Sceaux GardensTRA), Steve Hedger (Chair, East DulwichTRA) and Kim Jones (Chair, CastlemeadTRA). They have been supportingtenants liaising with the council andother agencies. They also arranged aday trip to Bognor Regis for the tenants.

The coordinators have been supportedby volunteers who have been providingmeals for the displaced tenants. Anotherroom in the community centre has beenturned into a crèche providing for thechildren.

Other voluntary organisations such asthe Red Cross, Salvation Army and theBaptist Church have also assisted bydonating clothes. The charity, RedPoppy, has set up a room in the hall tooffer counselling to tenants. In addition,Southwark Citizens Advice Bureaux havebeen providing advice and lawyers are

Tenants’ organisations provide respite for fire victims



Refugee Week

Refugee community organisationscelebrated Refugee Week in variouslocations across the borough in June.The main event, Celebrating Sanctuary,took place at Bernie Spain Gardens, onthe South Bank, featuring various localperformers, including Peckham poetInua Ellams. Other events included a filmfestival organised by young refugees atthe British Film Institute and a LatinAmerican-themed event at PeckhamLibrary. www.refugeeweek.org.uk. New premises for

Blackfriars AdviceCentre

Blackfriars Advice Centre celebrated theopening of their new advice centre in theElephant and Castle shopping centre.The move takes them from their previouspremises on Walworth Road. ‘We knowthe need is massive,’ said chiefexecutive Helen Rice who has also justbecome chair of Community ActionSouthwark. Blackfriars Advice Centregive debt advice alongside advice onhousing, welfare benefits and work.www.blackfriars-advice.com.

Employment Fair

In these straitened times, helping peopleget back into work becomes a biggerconcern. CAS has increased its work inthis area and has been involved in anumber of initiatives, including an SE1Employment fair at Coin StreetNeighbourhood Centre, SouthwarkWorks Employment Fair and a WorkAdvice Fair in Peckham Square. CASstaff are currently working on organisinga small conference in October forvoluntary sector providers working onemployment-related issues. ContactMark Drinkwater (see p2).

ONE Southwark

In June the Menier Gallery hosted aphotography exhibition, One Southwark,profiling some of the borough’scommunities. Featuring CAS’s own LatinAmerican Development worker LinaMaria Usma, the exhibition sought tohighlight the diversity of the borough.Pictured here are Julie Timbrell - co-ordinator of the Southwark DisabilityForum and avid reader of Cascade –with one of her trustees, Richard Walker,mulling over the portrait of himself.

Last month's Walworth Festivalshowed the people of SE17 haveplenty of community spirit. It wasa touching day which marked thefirst anniversary of the death ofDavid Idowu, a pupil from theWalworth Academy.

But far from a sombre occasion,it was an opportunity to focus onthe positive contributions ofyoung people from Walworth.

For six hours the festivalhighlighted the vibrancy of thearea, including performancesfrom both younger and olderperformers. Hosted by InSpirecommunity centre in Liverpool Grove,the event showcased a range ofperformers to rally the communityagainst youth crime.

The festival highlighted the work ofAction SE17, a coalition of youth projectsthat includes InSpire. Local projectsprovided art workshops for children, whilenational charity Brook gave advice onsensible drinking and sexual health.

Also on show were some honey beesfrom the Walworth Garden Farm,alongside a papier-mâché piñata filledwith sweets – in the shape of a bee –which caused a buzz with some of thechildren.

'We chose bees as they symbolisehow a community can work together,'explained event organiser Charlotte

Sumo suits

Walworth Festival creates a buzz

Benstead, director of InSpire. 'Thisyear’s event was the best yet and we’llbe looking to build on it for next year’sfestival.'

Bee-shaped pinata filled with sweets created a buzz

Keib ThomasBust in Chumleigh Gardens Through a subscription fund, a bust ofwell-loved community activist Keib hasbeen sculpted. Plans are underway for itsinstallation and unveiling in the autumn.Community development seminar The second annual seminar in Keib’smemory will be held on Wednesday 4November, 6-8pm, at LSBU. To register your interest in either event,please contact Clare Cowen (see p2).



Empowering womenLadies of Virtue, a voluntary groupworking with women and their families,once again held their yearlyempowerment conference on the 13 Julyat the Peckham Park Road BaptistChurch.

This year’s theme was ‘Aspiring andAchieving’, with the aim of raising hopein the present storm.

The event was organised in partnershipwith SHRREB (Southwark HumanRights, Race and Equalities Bureau)giving opportunity for faith groups toliaise with other voluntary organisationsand the local authority to address themain issues affecting Southwarkresidents.

The day featured a question-and-answer session with talks on immigrationand welfare rights, employment,business and training opportunities.

The guest list included MemunaKargbo (South Welfare Rights), TeresaMarshall (PECAN ), Vivienne Lamaro

(SHREBB) , Pastor Rotimi (Living WordInternational) and many others.

The co-ordinator, Ola Oluturoti,rounded up the event with anempowering talk on fulfilling your dreamsand equipping participants with the keyinsights to success. The participantswere all inspired and are looking forwardto a larger conference next year.

Further Information: 07985 607 375 or07504 243 051,

[email protected], orwww.ladiesofvirtue.com

Taking a stand onmental healthMental health charity Creative Routesbrought their annual Bonkersfest festivalto the bandstand in Southwark Park.This year’s event was a smaller affair,officially billed as a ‘Baby Bonkersfest,because of a reduction in funding.

Creative Routes, who describethemselves as ‘Run by the mad, for themad’, seek to dispel stereotypes throughthe arts and aim to reclaim languageused about those with mental healthproblems.

The festival was organised by DavidSkull. ‘I have personally suffered withdepression in the past and CreativeRoutes has been a lifesaver for me,’ hesaid. ‘We’re not ashamed to say we’re abit Radio Rental [cockney rhymingslang]. We consider ourselves to bemental health survivors and wedeliberately pick eccentric or unusualacts for the festival to help changepeople’s perceptions and challengestereotypes.’

Amongst the performers were thesinger-songwriter Ingrid Andrews andJazzman John Clarke. Performance artwas provided by Peckham artist DanielLehan, whose gaily painted placardsencourage people to reappraise theirperspectives on mental health.

Creative Routes’ regular cabaretevenings continue throughout the year.For details visitwww.Myspace.com/themusescafe orwww.creativeroutes.org.

Women of Destiny –here to excelA new and vibrant voluntary organisationoperating a cross-borough service towomen Lambeth and Southwark hasstarted to deliver a unique service in theAlbrighton Community Centre, EastDulwich Estate.

Women of Destiny Organisation(WODO) was established to providesocial enterprise and ICT training toblack and minority ethnic women andto empower them to become socialentrepreneurs. They aim to nurturethem into leadership positions throughcareer advice, personal developmentschemes, confidence buildingprogrammes and volunteeringopportunities, as well as working inpartnership with relevant local andinternational organisations incommunity development initiatives indeveloping countries.

‘With appropriate support and trainingminority ethnic women can playimportant roles in their communities,’said Executive Director BarbaraNalumu.

When Barbara came to the UK in 1989she had no qualifications but withprolonged determination and the need tosupport her family, she embarked on aseries of studies leading to a degree in

ICT. ‘Given the appropriate guidance andthe provisions of adequate child caresupport, others can do the same,’ shesaid.

Barbara thanked Awards for All, whoprovided the initial investment, and themanagement of Albrighton CommunityCentre who allowed the use of thecomputers, kitchen and other facilities.‘The services are open to everyone whowishes to acquire knowledge in ICT andthose wishing to become socialentrepreneurs,’ she said.

Barbara Nalumu can be contacted atthe Albrighton Community Centre, 37Albrighton Road, East Dulwich Estate,London SE22 8AH, tel: 07949 722 365.

MicromarketdevelopmentCAS’s May Voluntary Sector Forummeeting heard about the Personalisationagenda and changes in adult social care,including an interesting introduction tomicro services. The full report,Supporting Micromarket Development,has now been published and can beviewed at:

www.dhcarenetworks.org.uk/_library/Resources/Personalisation/Personalisation_advice/SSMSCSEFullreport.pdf



Partnership TrainingBlackfriars Settlement’s Sylvia Wachuku-King recently held a two-day trainingsession on Collaboration Benefits fordevelopment workers. The training, co-ordinated by bassac and supported byCAS was targeted at voluntary andcommunity sector workers to improvecollaborative working in their jobs.

The first day focused on recognisingthe different types of collaborativeworking, and the different challenges.The second heard panellists includingNuala Conlan from Southwark Council,Philip Burke from the PCT and RuthRenvoize from the funder CapitalCommunity Foundation. Gareth Colesfrom NCVO’s Collaboration team alsogave an engaging talk on the benefits ofdifferent partnership arrangements. Oneparticipant commented: 'There is a worldof possibility for small groups workingon their own to develop some goodworking partnerships.'

A further course will be held later in theyear. For details contact Sylvia on 0207928 9521 or [email protected]

Fareshare: Food For thoughtFareShare is aBermondsey-based charitysupportingcommunities torelieve foodpoverty. At theheart are thevolunteers thatmake it happen.FareShareLondonredistributessurplus food – items that are ‘in date’,but surplus due to factors such as over-production or a short shelf-life – to 60organisations that support homelessand other groups in need. Through itsEat Well events, FareShare alsoprovides training in food hygiene,healthy diet and nutrition.

The charity has training and educationprogrammes specifically designed tohelp disadvantaged people gain skillsand access employment. The depot’snewly completed training centre has atraining kitchen, an IT suite and a ForkLift Truck area.

Courses include a free Level 2 inWarehousing, Distribution and Storage;Fork Lift Truck training courses and foodsafety courses. More information:www.fareshare.org.uk [email protected] or 020 73942468.

Ghost of theWalworth zoo returns

The lost zoo of Walworth, home to thefirst giraffes seen in Britain, wascelebrated with a Victorian day lastmonth.

The glory days of wildlife in SE17 wererecreated with the help of Southwark’stwo city farms – Walworth Garden Farmand Surrey Docks Farm – at the eventfor the 175th anniversary of the formerRoyal Surrey Zoological Gardens with afair on the site now known as PasleyPark. Community groups were out inforce. Creative workshops werefacilitated by arts charities Artery Artsand Arts Express. There were alsoVictorian Punch and Judy shows andperformances by the children’s charityIn-Toto Theatre.

In its heyday, the zoo was one of theUK's biggest attractions, and was visitedby Queen Victoria. About 8,000 visitors aday saw its elephants, rhinos andleopards and more attendedspectaculars and concerts in thegrounds. The excitement was short-lived, and by the late 1840s the animalshad been sold off with the parkeventually closing in 1877.

To find out more about this forgottenslice of Southwark’s heritage, visit theLost Southwark exhibition at the CumingMuseum, Walworth Road.www.southwark.gov.uk/CumingMuseum.

Black History Month eventAs part of Black HistoryMonth, CommunityAction Southwark isorganising a three-dayevent to celebratediversity and promotecommunity cohesionbetween Southwark’sSouth American andAfrican communities.

Following the successof ‘Afar, Yet so Close2008,’ which broughttogether three of thelargest ethnic minoritycommunities inSouthwark, this year’s event will focuson celebrating diversity and multi-culturalism, and explore how these cancontribute to enriching the borough /

city, as well as localcommunities.

The first two days willbe at London South BankUniversity. The lastevening will be at Inspire.Tuesday 6 andWednesday 7 October,all day: Arts andPhotographic Exhibition6.30–9pm: documentaryscreenings, lectures anddebates about ‘Diversityand Cohesion inSouthwark and London’Friday 9 October, 5.30 –

8.30pm: Celebrating Diversity.For further information about this event,

please contact Claudine Bongo (seepage 2).

RamadanAre you organising any meetings, eventsor training over the next couple ofmonths? You may want to note the datesof Ramadan this year. Ramadan fastingbegins on 22 August and the Eid-al-Fitr(end of Ramadan) is on 21 September.

Children and Families


Hi all playproviders!RecyclingRoadshow BusOutreach Officers from SouthwarkCouncil’s waste contractor Veolia areoffering free recycling and wasteminimisation workshops. These includeinteractive games and,where practical, aRecycling Roadshow Bus (at outdoorlocations).Contact: Ian McGeough, OutreachOfficer, Veolia Environmental Services(UK) plc, Manor Place Depot, 30-34Penrose Street, London, SE17 3DW, 020 7525 [email protected]

Music workshopsSteve Barbe offers full- and half-dayworkshops in African drumming; junkinstruments; vocal and singing;storytelling at the Roy Wells Collage ofMusic (no it’s not a spelling mistake). Ata cost of £80 a half day or £120 for fullday. His My Space page iswww.myspace.com/rwcmstevebarbe oremail [email protected] orring 020 7732 7782, mobile07788668930

Circus andclown walkaboutScott Poleykett , Scotty's CircusWorkshop, 07835 770 [email protected]

Teen and earlyyears lifestyle checksAre you concerned with the health ofyour children and young people? ThePCT and CAS are keen to promote aweb-based interactive questionnaire.Ideally you should have internet accessbut we can arrange for you to visitanother site to complete thequestionnaires. For more informationcontact Enoch Muwanga at CAS.

Safeguarding trainingAre you up to date on safeguarding?With all the horrific news stories thissubject can be just too much. But asfrontline workers it is vitally important to

be up to date and feel confident indealing with this issue – training willhelp. You can also do a refresher online.For more information go to:www.southwark.gov.uk/YourServices/childrenandfamilies/safeguardingchildren/

Playwork trainingFollowing on from the recent highlysuccessful and enjoyable level 2 KIDStraining, Everyone Can Play, in theautumn we are offering the KIDS level 3course, Planning Inclusive Play. If you areinterested in this six-day course pleaseemail me on [email protected]

Wallace CollectionUsing a Museum Collection: makingmuseums accessible is a day’s training ongetting the most out of museum visits.Date: 8 September 2009, 11am-3pmBooking: Free to attend but please bookyour place in advance as places arelimited. For more information or to booka place please phone 020 7563 9577 oremail [email protected]

Most of the major museums haveeducation officers to support childrenand young people visiting and help withideas for activities to do at the museumor back at your base. As a kid I loved mylocal museum and would visit myfavourite paintings and exhibits often –help children to be interested in art andhistory – visit!

Play developmentFrom September, I will be starting somenew play projects:Southwark Aiming High for DisabledChildren is launching a CommunityChest Fund to support the voluntary andcommunity sector improve or pilotprojects for disabled children. There willbe small grants, under £1,000, forrevenue or capital projects, plus helpand advice on running inclusive projects. Southwark Play Services, Access toPlay project aimed at increasing thenumbers of disabled children and youngpeople using adventure playgrounds. I will also continue to offer support andadvice to the voluntary and communityplay sector.If you are interested in any play projectsplease email me and I can let you havedetails.

Mary Braid

Kids' museumchange plannedSouthwark Council is seeking to changedetails of the trust which governsLivesey Museum for Children, so thatTheatre Peckham can move in.

The group, currently based inCamberwell, is raising funds to re-houseitself in the Old Kent Road museum,which is governed by a trust whichstates it must only be used as a library.

The closure of the museum in Februarylast year caused an outcry from locals,who set up a campaign to save it. Sincethen rounds of talks and meetings havebeen held over the future of the site.

The museum was bequeathed in 1890by George Livesey, a local benefactor, asa free public library. The library closed in1966, but re-opened as a museum forchildren. The council has been in breachof the trust, but is now working closelywith the Charity Commission to broadenthe original objectives without losing itsessence - that the building should be ofeducational benefit to the community.

Theatre Peckham, which primarily offerstheatre and dance classes to children, wasone of three groups to register an interestin the building and Southwark's executiveagreed to transfer the lease of the buildingto the group in December last year.

Cllr Lewis Robinson, SouthwarkCouncil Executive Member for CultureLeisure and Sport, said: ‘This agreementis a key milestone towards bringing theLivesey back into public use.‘

Southwark Signpost Southwark Signpost, the database ofvoluntary and community groups inSouthwark, is now fully active. Youcan search by Organisation Name,Postcode or Services Delivered. Toview the signpost visit:www.casouthwark.org.uk/index.php?option=com_civicrm&Itemid=42

In order for the signpost to workeffectively, please ensure that you usethe full domain name rather than theshort name e.g. usewww.casouthwark.org.uk and notcasouthwark.org.uk.

As CAS membership forms arereturned to us and useful datagathered, the signpost will beupdated accordingly. This will allowus to offer a more comprehensiveonline database to our stakeholders.

Children and Families


Film competitionBorough, Bankside and Walworth YouthForum is excited to announce our filmcompetition running until 4 September2009. The competition is for the best filmshowing young people doing positivestuff in Southwark. If you are aged 13-19, live in Southwark and have a cameraor mobile phone to shoot a picture youcan enter. For more information on thecriteria and terms and conditions pleasevisit: www.whtvr.org/film-ur-endz ,

There will be two categories: 13-15and 16-19. In both categories you getthe chance to win a day in a film studiofor you and your mates or film crew aswe are happy to accept different typesof media. The films will be judged oncontent rather than quality of the picture.

You can view and vote for some of thefilms being entered on our facebookpage. Type 'film ur endz' into the searchbox on facebook or go tohttp://www.facebook.com/pages/Film-Ur-Endz/95535402595?ref=ts

Peckham Pledge

COVO Connecting Voices wascommissioned to deliver consultationworkshops in 10 Primary schools todevelop a ‘Pledge for Peckham’, an ideathat came from Cllr Mark Glover,Southwark Council.

Through the workshops, the childrenwere engaged to reflect on their ownexperiences and the issues in their localcommunity that affected them and theirfamilies. The following are a few pledgesthat resulted from the workshops:� We pledge not to shout at people;

Why not become a fan of the site andwe will let you know when new filmsarrive and when some great events arehappening over the summer!

react negatively to people or take our anger out at someone else.

� We pledge not to swear, call people names or bully people.

� We pledge to keep our community clean by disposing litter in the bins and encouraging others to do the same.The children of John Donne and

Camelot Primary School presented thePledges to their local CommunityCouncil. The project gave the childrenthe experience to voice their opinionsand receive feedback about the issueswithin their community.

‘At first I was nervous, standing in frontof all these people, but afterwards it felteasy! – Pupil, Aged 10

‘I liked that the people wanted to hearwhat us kids had to say’ – Girl, Aged 10

Further information on COVO servicescan be found on the website

www.covo.org.uk

CAS project promotes Teen andEarly Years LifeChecksCAS’s Faith and Health project ispleased to launch the NHS Teen andEarly Years LifeCheck

What is NHS LifeCheck?NHS LifeCheck is an online healthservice that will help people assess andmanage their own health. The NHSLifeCheck programme is based on acommitment in the 2006 GovernmentWhite Paper ‘Our Health, Our Care, OurSay’ to initially develop three NHSLifeChecks for early years, adolescentand mid-life. Since then the Departmentof Health has been working withpartners including health and social careprofessionals, academic researchers,stakeholders, experts and the public todevelop these three NHS LifeChecks.

NHS Early Years LifeCheckThe NHS Early Years LifeCheck is forparents and carers with babies 5-8months old. It is based on theDepartment of Health’s ‘Birth to five’publication and provides currentinformation and useful advice about

what parents can do to help keep theirbaby healthy, happy and safe. Theservice has been developed by theDepartment of Health in consultationwith doctors, parents, carers, nurses,midwives and health visitors.

NHS Teen LifeCheckThe NHS Teen LifeCheck is a quick,easy and fun online quiz for youngpeople between 12-15 that explores arange of health and well-being issues inone accessible place. It empowersyoung people to take greater control oftheir health by:

� Raising their awareness of risk-taking behaviour;

� Signposting to further sources of support and advice; and

� Supporting healthier choices and helping to set ‘SMART’ health improvement goals.

Young people have been involved in thedevelopment of NHS Teen LifeCheck atevery stage.

Promoting the project1) CAS will promote the project to itsmembers to encourage their ownemployees and volunteers with childrenfrom age 5-8 months, and teens from 12to 15 to take up Early Years and TeenLifeCheck as a part of their healthimprovement approach for theirworkforce. 2) Volunteers will be trained to go outand brief frontline service user groups’staff, so that they can then encouragetheir service users to promote andaccess NHS Teen and Early YearsLifeCheck.3) A hot desk area will be provided atCAS resource centre as a LifeCheckstop shop and CAS member groups withefficient IT systems will be encouragedto open up their PCs in order to promoteand access NHS Teen and Early YearsLifeCheck.If you are interested in getting involvedand for further information, pleasecontact me (see p2).

Enoch Muwanga (Faith and HealthDevelopment Officer)

Policy and Partnership


A new voice for Southwark’s Members tell us they want twothings from CAS: support toreach their potential and truerepresentation.

We are now asking for yourfeedback on a renewed model ofrepresentation – a ‘voice’ for thesector in Southwark – that seeksto give the voluntary andcommunity sector a series ofcoordinated forums to work,collaborate, identify opportunitiesand tackle common problemstogether.

Why do we need tochange existing structures?

At present, CAS runs forums fororganisations providing adults’ andchildren’s health and social care services.

However, parts of the voluntary andcommunity sector have no CAS-supported forums or representatives –areas such as safety, housing and theenvironment, for example, and the largenumber of voluntary organisations whoprovide training to support individualsinto employment.

Without a dedicated forum, existinggroups are unable to discuss topicalissues and identify collaborative andcreative solutions particular to their sub-sector. These might include, forexample, a consortium bid for acontract, or the collaboration ofgrassroots activists to lobby for changeon a particular theme. Withoutrepresentation in all areas of the sector,CAS is unable to identify cross-cuttingthemes and lobby on your behalf.

It is vital that as a sector we identifycommon areas so that we can eithermake the most of opportunities oreffectively tackle problems.

What are we proposing?

We are proposing a simple system thatretains the idea of elected representatives.

Southwark Forum will be thefoundation of the model, a place whereall voluntary organisations, communitygroups or local activists can hear andrespond to timely issues, contribute andnetwork. CAS will run these quarterly.

Responding to sector needs, the topicswill vary, as will the framework – fromconference to workshop to open space orsomething else. Where possible, timespent face-to-face will be increasinglyused for strategic decision-making: forexample, what major problem should wecampaign on this year.

Southwark Forum sub-groups will bethe place for groups to discuss themedissues, such as children and youngpeople, adult health and well-being, orthe environment. Each established forumwill set its own agenda, elect its chairand determine the frequency ofmeetings. Like Southwark Forum itself,these meetings will be open to all.

We are suggesting the following sub-groups, and would like your feedback oneverything from the names of groups towhether you think we have enough ortoo many. Where there may be existingor overlapping groups we will bespeaking to facilitators to consolidate orreduce overlap:

What about electedrepresentatives?

Each sub-group will decide how manyelected representatives it needs. A groupcovering a larger or more complex topic,such as children and families, may needmore representatives than another sub-group. CAS will support groups to setout their governance procedures,

including appointment and retirement ofrepresentatives.

How will this help?

Elected representatives will participate inSouthwark Voice, alongside SouthwarkInfrastructure Group members. (SIGdraws together all the umbrella, orsecond-tier, voluntary groups inSouthwark.) Southwark Voice will be acentral, sector-wide, representativegroup, serviced by CAS that will:� Identify areas of potential voluntary

and community sector collaboration and reduce overlap and duplication.

� Act as a strategic channel of communication between the statutory and voluntary sectors.

� Support Southwark Alliance’s coordination and strategic development role.

� Act as a broker for change, e.g. promoting opportunities such as the Personalisation agenda

� Provide a more coherent and consistent ‘critical friend’ function to our statutory partners.

When will the changes happen?

The consultation will close on 14September, and the new sub-groupswill be set up shortly after this. We willlet members know the results of theconsultation via our e-bulletin, websiteand the next Cascade in October.

Tell us your views

Tell us what you think about thesechanges by September 14. Write to usor speak to a member of the CAS team.

Once the consultation is complete, wewill continue to monitor the needs of thesector. It may be that further changes areneeded and we will be happy to considerand implement them when appropriate.We will also look at new technologies tomake sure that groups can communicateas effectively as possible with each otherwhen they want to.

We are enjoying building a five-starCAS and we hope you will support us tomake the right decisions by sending inyour views.

Suggested sub-groups:

� Southwark Children, Young People and Families – dealing with support provided to these groups of people

� Southwark Adult Independence and Wellbeing – focusing on adult social care and health

� Southwark Information – supporting organisations providing information, advice and guidance

� Southwark Skills – networking groups that provide employment and skills training

� Southwark Space – linking regeneration, housing, environmentand the safety of the space aroundus.

Policy and Partnership


voluntary and community sector

-

Does Southwarkstill care aboutgender issues?Feminism is dead.

Women-only organisations are irrelevant in the UKin 2009.

Gender-specific events are divisive in this day andage.

What do you think? It would be nice to think that the human rightswork over the last decades has ended inequalitybetween genders, that gender differences are nowfully accepted and supported, or were non-existentall along. No-one would deny the need for gender-specific domestic violence projects, refuges,maybe some health projects - or would they? Ingeneral though, what is the point of dividinggenders for any activity instead of workingtogether?

At my still relatively socialist university in the1980s women’s issues were high on the agenda.And yes, I found some ‘wimmin’s’ groups reallyannoying, with constant discussion of bodilyfunctions, lyricism about women’s superiority tomen, and frequent criticism of other women whodid not fit their ideals. But after nearly 20 yearsworking in the voluntary sector I was shocked bythe urgent needs expressed by most womenattending a recent CAS seminar for womentrustees.

Why run a women-only event? Well, firstly because we wanted to find out whetherwomen felt there was actually equality in terms oftheir ‘voices’ on boards, and secondly to see ifgender-specific issues were still being discussed atthe strategic board level. And many of the womenwe had talked to had said they would feel freer totalk openly without men present, just this once.

Southwark used to have several women’s forumsand projects, but only a few remain, mainly forspecific ethnic minority groups. It was thereforeheartening to see such a broad spectrum oforganisations represented at the seminar.

But the loudest message of the event was ahunger for discussion space about gender issues,things some of us may have assumed long gone –glass ceilings (still much in evidence in recentresearch about business boards), status, powergames, access and attitudes.

So, discussions about gender-specific supportare still needed in Southwark. I for one lookforward to working with other organisations in theborough to bid for a serious SouthwarkInternational Women’s Day conference for nextyear.

Lynne GillettSouthwark Trustees Project, CAS

Do we fully appreciate thededication and commitmentof our managementcommittees?

Sometimes therequirements of charitygovernance can be aburden – balancing strongpersonalities and diverseviews, trying to find a newtreasurer, getting papers tothe committee in goodtime. But those on theboard give their time andexperience for free, and wedepend on them whenserious managementproblems arise. They takeon the ultimateresponsibility, and theassociated risks, for thecontinuing existence ofvoluntary organisations, soperhaps we should supportand appreciate them a littlemore.

CAS runs one of the veryfew dedicated governanceprojects in the UK. At theend of the first year of thefive-year SouthwarkTrustees Project (STeP),funded by the Big LotteryBASIS fund to support anddevelop trustees inSouthwark, it is time to lookat what we have delivered,what we have learnt aboutgovernance in the boroughand what our plans are forthe future.

STeP by STePOver 1,200 organisations and individualtrustees in the borough receivedinformation about governance issues,and 57 groups received intensive one-to-one casework and outreach services,with a further 47 receiving one-off

guidance and referral.In its first year the project designed

and delivered seven new governancecourses for trustees and managers,and ran four Trustee Networkmeetings. The number of trustees fromblack and minority ethnic (BME) andchildren and families organisationsaccessing advice on governance hasincreased substantially, including over60% BME-organsiation attendees atthe Trustee Network (compared to20% previously).

Another key innovation was a six-session Trustee Orientationprogramme, delivered on Saturdays inJanuary and February to supportnewer trustees. Its popularity was areal surprise – 29 individual trusteesattended, and we are already runninga waiting list for next year. Themajority of attendees reported a veryhigh level of satisfaction in thetraining, and have reported thesubsequent implementation ofpractical changes to board policiesand practices. These new models andcontent of training have beenestablished ahead of the project'stimeplans, are being refined anddeveloped for the future and will beshared with other organisationslocally, regionally and nationally.

Southwark Trustee Project – First Anniversary


The first STeP

Comment

Southwark Trustee Project


Treasurers SteP upThe project celebrated the end of its firstyear with a unique event targeted attreasurers. Recognising their status andspecific needs within the sector, CASorganised an evening seminar on 25June with high-profile speakers andworkshop leaders including StephenFisher, Senior Charities Manager at

haysmacintyre, Jenny Field, PrincipalGrants Officer, The City Bridge Trust, andErica Crump, solicitor, Bates Wells &Braithwaite.

Vital as treasurers are to everyorganisation, they come from a widevariety of financial and managementbackgrounds, are often very experiencedin the business sector, but are rarelyoffered tailored training in charity finance.The event offered peer networking and awide range of briefings and short ‘taster’workshops for both experienced and

potential treasurers, on areas such asreporting to the rest of the board,managing reserves, cost-cutting tips andcoping with risk in the recession to over50 attendees. The overwhelmingfeedback was for more training in moredetail in the future:

� Not long enough! Far more relevant than I expected

� The seminar was an eye opener

� Excellent, easily accessible, lovely venue

� Well delivered with lots of sound advice and info to take away

� Great, down-to-earth information, very helpful

� It was the best!

Next SteP� Our training courses were developed

with the pressures of trusteeship in mind, mainly running on Saturdays and divided into short accessible sessions. We will continue developing these, starting a new programme in the autumn, running the most popular again, and looking at some of the ‘soft’ skills needs as well as the sharing of information, for example by running a session on communicating finance to non-financially minded colleagues and one on public speaking skills.

� Over the first year outreach support to conduct board audits proved popular, and we will be developing this into a broader model of governance health-checks.

� We were very encouraged by the number of committees that decided to open up their recruitment to more diverse trustees following training and one-to-one support. We found that there are many untapped sources for new trustees, and potential for supporting existing trustees into specific roles, such as vice-chairs. We will continue and develop support for both managers and boards in recruiting new trustees.

� A survey carried out amongst the attendees at the treasurer’s seminar showed that 90% of the attendees responding would like to see a regular Treasurer’s Club developed, either locally or across central London. We will be exploring models for this over the next few months, and hope to launch it in the autumn.


Welcomeby Clive Pankhurst,Chief Executive

Thanks toeveryone whohelped make thisyear’s VolunteersWeek one of ourbest ever. We hadstalls and eventsalmost every day –from East Streetand Peckham RyeStation to runninga Volunteers’ Fair at Cambridge Houseand an Awards event at the Town Hallwith the Mayor.

It has been a busy time of the year,and due to the recession we arenoticing an increase in the number ofpeople contacting us wanting tovolunteer, so if you need people to helpyour group get in touch!

Capacitybuilders bid to supportvolunteer managementSouthwark has been lucky to be one ofthe boroughs short-listed to apply to a

News from Volunteer Centre Southwark

Capacitybuilders fund to improvevolunteer management. To support thebid we plan to hold a series of focusgroups looking at what voluntary groupsin Southwark need to help them manageand retain volunteers. If you would liketo get involved please get in touch.

Local volunteer manager winsLondon-wide Supporting,Managing and EncouragingVolunteers AwardJim Hutchinson, Volunteer Co-ordinatorat the Imperial War Museum (on the left inpicture), has been named as the winner ofthe London Museums Hub award forSupporting, Managing and EncouragingVolunteers Award. He was given hisaward by Munira Mirza, the LondonMayor’s Director of Policy, Arts, Cultureand the Creative Industries at aprestigious awards event on HMS Belfast.

Jim originally joined the Imperial WarMuseum as the first Volunteer Co-ordinator for IWM Duxford in October2000. He then transferred to HMSBelfast in September 2006 to becomethe first Volunteer Co-ordinator for theIWM’s three London Branches.

Jim’s efforts and tenacity havetransformed the volunteer landscapeinto a well organised and managedentity. Within the museum he hasdeveloped a formal volunteerprogramme, recruited 107 new longerterm volunteers and 42 adult studentson short term placements, building upa volunteer team on HMS Belfast fromone volunteer to a team of 28, settingup and supporting a new trainingframework for the development andassessment of tour guides, andproviding a programme of social andreview events for volunteers.

The Employer-Supported Volunteeringteam at Volunteer Centre Southwarkhas now rebranded as Involve and theusual busy summer season is in fullflow for the Involve team.

This July we had over 15 projectsrunning across the Borough, making adifference to schools, communityorganisations, youth and older personscentres and environmental sites. Oneproject was recently held at CharlesDickens Primary School, SE1. On areally hot and sunny day a team of 10volunteers from Ernst & Young createdmini-beast shapes from plywood,copying the winning designs from aninter-class competition. Once thedesigns had been cut out and sandeddown, the children joined us to helppaint the shapes in bright colours.

News from InvolveWhen dry the mini-beasts were fixed

to the fence of the school’s new eco-garden area. Following the day, MrCrane, one of the lead teachers,commented: ‘The shapes lookamazing. Everybody is really pleasedwith them. Thank you very much.’ Asusual, all the tools and materials werepaid for by the employer, in this caseErnst & Young, and the day was fullyfacilitated by a member of the Involveteam.

We have projects coming up atCatch 22, Johanna Primary School,Camberwell Old Cemetery, JohnDonne Primary and Burgess ParkAdventure Playground, to name but afew. Want to get Involved? Contact uson 020 7403 2936 or [email protected]


Talk about volunteering…This section will bring youinformation and updates ongood practice in volunteermanagement. This time thefocus will be on

Supportingvolunteers from adiverse backgroundEverybody benefits from extra supportwhen starting somewhere new but theextent of support varies from person toperson. Involving people with extrasupport needs means an organisationwill benefit from a wide range ofexperiences and perspectives, whichbetter reflect the community as a whole.

All volunteers need to have a warmand encouraging welcome so they canfeel at ease in their new environment.The types of support an organisation canoffer to a volunteer with additionalsupport needs is individual to eachperson and any additional requirementsshould be discussed before a volunteer

Cafe Conversations The Active Citizens Hub is working witha brilliant group of young active citizenswho are leading a series of events fortheir peers around Elephant and Castle.

Following on from the Active CitizensHub’s previous activity on Albion Street,Rotherhithe, these events are a series of‘Cafe Conversations’ focusing on fourdifferent themes chosen by the youngpeople themselves. Three conversationshave already taken place, exploringtopics such as achievement andaspiration, activities and things to do,and community involvement. The finalsession will focus on communitycohesion and diversity.

There has been fantastic support fromall sections of the community with localorganisations, people and businessesoffering support and resources.

The positive nature of these events hasinspired those involved to take on otherprojects and campaigns, including aBengali intergenerational history project

and petitioning Elephant and CastleNandos to provide halal chicken.

The full write up from all of the CafeConversations will be on the VolunteerCentre Website soon.

For further details on Southwark ActiveCitizens Hub Cafe Conversationscontact Natasha Plaister on 020 74032936 or [email protected].

Engaging thePolish CommunityRecent estimates put the SouthwarkPolish Community at 2-3,000 residents.Active Citizens from the Polishcommunity are keen to ensure thatmembers of these newer Southwarkcommunities and more establishedresidents have the opportunity to cometogether, learn and socialise with eachother.

Volunteer Centre Southwark’s ActiveCitizens Hub and Southwark Councilsupported Polish volunteers by

starts so both the volunteer and theorganisation can be clear on their roles.

Some support which an organisationcan offer volunteers with additionalsupport needs include:

� Offer an induction procedure so that volunteers are introduced to the organisation, staff and other volunteers.

� Have a designated person to support a volunteer so they know who they can turn to if they have any questionsor concerns. It would be ideal if this person has had disability awareness training.

� Think about the workplace and ensure that the area and facilities are accessible for any volunteer with additional support needs.

� Offer regular one-to-one meetings to see how the volunteering is enjoying their role. It is important not to think that just because someone has not said they are unhappy everything is OK. Some people are reluctant to saythey have concerns.

� Do not assume that because someone has a particular disability they cannot do a particular task. To assume this would not allow you to broaden your understanding of diversity or make the volunteer feel they can truly be part of an organisation.

� Address any organsational policies and procedures which may exclude people with additional support needs from your organisation. Maybe ask the volunteer for their input in creatingnew policies.

� Be prepared to have some flexibility around role descriptions and volunteer hours.

Above all it is essential to focus onability rather than disability andwelcome the new ideas and experiencesyour new volunteer can offer.

For more information on supportingvolunteers please contact Barbara

Witter or Emma Mallinson at VolunteerCentre Southwark. T: 020 7403 2936

E: [email protected]

These two pages are sponsored byVolunteer Centre Southwark,69 Southwark Bridge Road,London SE1 0NQ.Tel: 020 7403 2936, Fax: 020 7403 5961Email: [email protected]: www.volunteercentres.org.uk

Active Citizens Hub News

organising an exciting art and musicevent at Nolias Gallery in April. Theevent (above) was a great success andprovided an opportunity for the Polishand non-Polish communities to cometogether.

For further details on how the ActiveCitizens Hub is empowering individuals inthe Polish Community to create change,contact Seray Kamara on 020 7403 2936or at [email protected].

Seyi Madariola, CAS Directorof Operations and ICT, recentlyattended the annual CircuitRiders conference on 9 June.In the plush surroundings ofIBM’s offices in Bedfontoverlooking a lake, he was notonly treated to spectacularviews but also a number ofvery useful presentations andworkshops.

For those of you who don’t know, aCircuit Rider is a roving ICT worker whoadvises charities and other voluntarysector organisations on how to maximisetheir use of ICT. A Circuit Rider will alsoprovide some troubleshootingassistance.

The day’s activities started with adebate about collaboration and fundingfor ICT support in the voluntary sector.There were mixed feelings as to whethercollaborating on projects was a goodidea. Some (roughly 35%) said ‘No’,others (25%) said ‘Maybe’, and the rest(40%) said ‘Yes’. I was in the ‘Yes’camp.

Due to the recession and reductions inpublic spending the economic forecastlooks gloomy. Operational functionswithin organisations such as servicesand infrastructure will probably suffermost. Unfortunately, ICT funding andbudgets will probably take the biggesthit.

Now, more than ever, is the time toreview how organisations deliverservices and explore if joint working canprove to be more cost effective. Mostfunders expect an element of jointworking to be built into fundingapplications without providing the extraresources that would enable effectivecollaborations. The onus is often on thehost organisation to supply theresources.

An increasing number of free and low-cost ICT tools are being made publiclyavailable that can be used to facilitatecollaboration and complement much ofthe good work being done by front-lineorganisations. These tools could be usedto achieve significant efficiency gains.For instance, an up-to-date websitewould reduce the need to field most

telephone calls that query the nature ofservices delivered, as most of theinformation is online. This would reducesome of the administrative burden andallow organisations to divert resourcesinto other areas, e.g. fundraising,collaboration projects, research etc.

Web 2.0 andnew mediaSimilarly, Web 2.0 and other new mediatools can be used to achieve bothinternal and external efficiency gains. Inits simplest form, Web 2.0 refers to away of the voluntary sector doing thingsdifferently, whether it be engagingbeneficiaries online via social networkingsites or using cloud computing as a wayof reducing software licensing costs andsharing information.

Social networking sites such asFacebook, MySpace, Twitter and Bebocan be used by organisations to shareknowledge about the activities beingdelivered, to engage stakeholders, andto collaborate more easily, particularlywhen it is impractical to hold face-to-face meetings.

Cloud computing describes a set ofresources that are provided as a serviceover the internet. Examples includeGoogle docs and Skype. Although still inits early stages there are already anumber of clear advantages for adoptingcloud computing, which include reducedcost; increased storage; better flexibility;more mobility and a higher level ofautomation.

CiviCRMBack to the conference. After lunchthere were a number of showcasesessions. I attended ones on CiviCRM,Voice-Over IP (VoIP) and CloudComputing. I found the ones onCiviCRM and VoIP particularlyinteresting.

At CAS we have recently published anonline database, Southwark Signpost,that was developed using CiviCRM. Thisis free, open source softwaredownloadable from www.civicrm.org.Although some knowledge of howdatabases and websites work is

required, CiviCRM is fully customisableto meet most of the database needs ofcharities and voluntary sectororganisations, e.g. storing and managingclients’ contact information, managingevent registrations, and managing donorregistrations.

Apart from the odd technical glitch, Ilike CiviCRM and think it works well.Users who access Southwark Signpostare able to perform searches fororganisations who deliver a particularservice in a given area. For instance, youcould search for organisations thatprovide advice and information in SE5,or those that provide training andeducation in SE15. A number of recordsare generated where you can retrievecontact and other information about theorganisation.

VoIPVoIP is an interesting concept wherehuge financial gains could be achieved.Basically, VoIP allows you to make local,national and international calls over theinternet; all for free, except for the costof a broadband subscription. VoIP hasproved to be reliable and scalable hencea number of organisations now feelcomfortable using it. Lower cost is themain attraction. At CAS, we areexploring whether it would be feasible toimplement a VoIP system and will reportback shortly.

Risk ManagementThe final session of the day was on RiskManagement, the active process ofidentifying, assessing, communicatingand managing the risks facing anorganisation to ensure that it meets itsobjectives. Risk management strategiescan also be applied to individual projectsto ensure that project milestones andgoals are being met.

All in all, I found the Circuit Ridersconference incredibly rewarding. Notonly did I learn a lot, but I also madesome useful contacts and walked awaywith a bag full of goodies. Thanks guys,see you next year. For more informationabout Circuit Riders visitwww.lasa.org.uk/circuitriders/.

Information Communication Technology


It’s not all doom and gloom for ICT

Capacity Building

cascade www.casouthwark.org.uk

If your organisation is in need of anyproperty-related legal advice, thefollowing organisations can help by wayof Pro Bono (that is, free) services.

Bar Pro Bono UnitThe Unit acts as a clearing house,matching barristers prepared toundertake Pro Bono work with charitieswhich need help. For more informationand advice call 020 7611 9521 or visitthe Unit’s website at:www.barprobon.org.uk

Lease Advisory Service The Lease Advisory Service providesfree legal advice on leases over thephone, by letter or by email. For moreinformation or advice call: 0845 3451993 or visit the Lease Advisory

Service’s website at: www.lease-advice.org

Community MattersCommunity Matters has Pro Bono cliniconce a month to assist charities with anyproperty legal matters. For moreinformation or to make an appointmentcall Veronica Karrainton on 0845 8474253 or visit the Community Matters’website at:www.communitymatters.org.uk

The Royal Institute ofChartered Surveyors (RICS) RICS provides one hour of free legalsupport and guidance on lease renewaland tenancies, planning issues, propertymaintenance, and environmental issues.For more information and advice call

0870 333 1600 or visit the RICS’swebsite at:www.charitypropertyhelp.com

LawWorks LawWorks provides free legal advice forsmall charities with an income of lessthan £500,000 through lawyers workingfree for the public good. For moreinformation call 020 7929 5601 or visitLawWorks’ website at:www.lawworks.org.uk

For further information on any of thesematters, you can also contact Teklu Haile

(see p2)

Free premises legal advice

August – September 2009 | 17

CAS’s premises project, in partnershipwith the London premises sub-group ofCapacity Builders London RegionalConsortium, organised a PremisesRoadshow on 5 June, one of a series offive across London.

The aim was to promote a PremisesSearch Engine. This new resource hasbeen developed by the London premisessub-group to support second-tierorganisations to improve the knowledgeand skills of the voluntary sector inpremises management, options and

Community-builders FundCommunitybuilders Fund wasannounced on 29 June, to support thesustainability of multi-purpose inclusivecommunity-led organisations.

The £70 million programme willstrengthen the resilience of anchororganisations by providing a mix ofloans, grants and mentoring support. Itwill be delivered by a consortium led bythe Adventure Capital Fund (ACF) inassociation with Futurebuilders Englandand the Communality Alliance.

Communitybuilders will be open forapplications later this summer.Organisations who wish to apply canregister their interest by calling 0191 2615200. www.communitybuildersfund.org.uk

Premises Roadshowsustainability.

The Premises Search Engine will bringall the major premises-related issues intoone place and provide information andsignposting to organisations specialisingin premises issues.

In total, 40 people attended, 14 ofwhom were from Southwark. We aregrateful to those who have gave usvaluable feedback which will be used toshape the Premises Search Engine as auseful tool for the voluntary andcommunity sector.

FREE TRAINING – Section 106 – See page 23

Elephant Jobs ResourceManagement

PREMISES AVAILABLEUnit 15, Brandon Street, SE17 1NASelf contained unit, 75 sq metres (750sq ft). Includes enclosed meetingroom, toilets, kitchen and open planoffice. Adequate furnishing for 6/8staff. IT networking, broadband,telephone available. 24-hourmonitored alarm. Service charges,including council rent, water rates,security, building insurance: approx£6,000 p.a. Cleaning service optional. Apply for Application Form to:[email protected] Lahan on 020 7701 4141 extn 260

Over the last six months, our work withSouthwark’s Sierra Leonean (SL) andLatin American (LA) communitiesfocused on engaging more communitymembers and providing capacitybuilding support, as well as servicingcommunity networks and forums. Withthe capacity building support, we try toensure LA and SL communityorganisations are equipped to deliversupport services addressing communityneeds. We were able to� Hold public meetings for both Sierra

Leonean and Latin American



“Leaders of today empoweringleaders of tomorrow”

Salone Linksneeds you! Salone Links is a brilliant, shiny, newmentoring programme that empowersSierra Leonean students at London SouthBank University (LSBU) with the skills andknowledge they need to become effectiveleaders. Salone Links matches mentors,who are skilled and experiencedprofessionals, to Sierra Leonean studentsat LSBU. The Salone Links mentoringprogramme holds mutual trust andrespect at its core. It is not a one-sidedrelationship but one of reciprocity,providing both Mentee and Mentor withthe opportunity to learn new things andfurther their own personal developmentthrough their interactions with each other.

Could you be aSalone Links Mentor?Salone Links Mentors guide, encourage,motivate, teach and inspire. We need awide range of mentors, with skills andexperience in different fields.

Would you like to contribute positivelyto the life of a Sierra Leonean degreestudent?

Are you an experienced professional inyour field?

Can you actively inspire others?Could you volunteer a minimum of six

hours a month, over a period of threemonths? Could you be a Salone Links Mentor? Salone Links will provide you with fulltraining and support you throughout yourMentoring experience.

Would you like to be aSalone Links Mentee?

A mentee is somebody who activelyseeks support and advice fromsomebody in order to grow personallyand/or professionally.

Are you a Sierra Leonean student

embarking on an undergraduate orMasters degree? Would you appreciatesupport to help enhance your learning,either professionally, personally, or both?

Would you like the opportunity tonetwork with skilled professionals in yourfield?

Would you like the opportunity to meetother like minded people?

Salone Links will provide you withtraining before the start of the Mentoringprogramme.

Contact Krystle Lai for an informal chatabout how you can be involved.

Community

Ladies in FellowshipLadies in Fellowship (LIFe) is a faith-based organisation set up in 1999 byPastor Octavia Williams. The groupengages particularly in befriendingactivities directed towards SierraLeonean women living in and outsideSouthwark.

Through outreach work, the group nowhas over 50 women registered as activemembers. A large proportion of thewomen belong to the wider SierraLeonean Community living in Southwark.

The group has a strong social supportnetwork and meets regularly for abreakfast meeting on the last Saturdayof every month. These meetings havebecome a valuable way of bringingSierra Leonean women together in anenvironment where they can be reunitedwith ‘old friends’ they had while living inSierra Leone, before migrating to theUK. They also get the opportunity tofoster and develop new relationships

with womenthey meet forthe first time.

The groupwelcomesSierra Leoneanwomen andother womenliving inSouthwarkwho desire tomeet otherwomen on thelast Saturday of every month atPenrose Tenants’ and Residents’Association Hall, Penrose Estate,Walworth, London, SE17, to sharefood, fun and friendship.

The management of the group is nowseeking to pioneer and do community-based work that will stand to benefit thecommunity of Southwark in the long term.

Opportunity knocks…



We are happy to say that the steeringgroup of the Latin American UKForum is now meeting regularly. Injust four meetings members havetaken a number of decisions, such asterms of reference, members’ roles,strategies, and action plans. Amanagement committee has beenelected and in the next meetings willbe revising governance documentsand start looking for funds and othersources of support.

Who are the membersof the steering group?In February 2009, we held an openpublic meeting. We asked people toregister their interest in being part of theproject, and received 29 applications.

We started having meetings andalthough it took time to build up we nowhave a regular attendance of not fewerthan seven people. Members who donot attend meetings regularly are keptupdated to support them and helpspread the information.

The steering group is formed fromrepresentatives of communityorganisations, local business owners,and individuals with a strong interest inthe LA community.

Empowering membersOne of the most difficult things is tokeep the interest of the members,particularly if it is on a voluntary basis.At CAS we value the communitymembers’ willingness to participate in

and support this project. At the sametime members feel the benefit of CASinvolvement. ‘Having the support of anorganisation such as CAS has givenmembers confidence that there are nohidden agendas,’ said a member of thePedro Achata Trust.

The approach by CAS’s communitydevelopment project has been clear: wefeel it is very important that people cometogether and voice their concerns in aconcerted way, through this project. Weseek to empower LA community membersand enable them to play an active role instrengthening their community.

Visit www.latinamericanukforum.blogspot.com or www.casouthwark.org.uk or contact Lina Usma (see p2)

Latin AmericanWomen’s Network On 24 June the LA Women’s networkmet once again. Speakers includedElena Noel (below left) from SouthwarkMediation Center and Enoch Muwanga,Faith and Health Officer from CAS.Members were encouraged to takeownership of the network and be moreproactive in contributing to the LatinAmerican UK Forum

Latin American UK Forum


communities to publicise our development effort with each community and encourage active participation from their members. These were respectively attended by 96 and 55 people. Following these meetings, we had the official launch ofthe LA community Forum, attended byaround 150 people.

� Provide capacity building support to 16 grassroots community organisations, to improve their governance and enable them to develop better policies, procedures

and systems. Through this service, members were able to establish community forums representing their interests and coordinating community action within their communities.

� Sign-post and refer 12 small businesses and 35 individuals to local mainstream agencies for business support; in partnership with GLE One London. We also delivered training programmes to individuals and small businesses on business start-up and planning (in English, Spanish and Portuguese).

Our future plans include a health andwellbeing partnership project to reducehealth inequalities for Southwark’smigrant communities. The project willseek to address issues of access tohealth services, reducing use of A&Efacilities for minor attendances, reducingthe stigma attached to some healthconditions (mental health, HIV and AIDS,stroke, cancer, etc), and overallimproving health and wellbeing formigrant communities.

LSBU Village FeteMembers areencouraged to takepart in differentactivities, contributingto better representationand providing newexperiences andnetworkingopportunities. Below:members at the VillageFete in July at LondonSouth Bank University.Bottom: with MP SimonHughes (right).

El Proyecto de apoyo a lacomunidad Latinoamericana esun canal abierto, para que ustedexprese su opinion, para queparticipe y para que conozca lasdiferentes oportunidades para elbeneficio suyo y de lacomunidad en general. Paramayor informacioncomuniquese con Lina Usma(ver pag 2)

Development progress report

Capacity Building


A quick guide to losing tenders– Part 2. Chris Todd, CAS’sDirector of Capacity Building,looks at ways to make sureyour organisation is notsuccessful in gaining contracts.The first article focused on thepre-qualifying questionnaire(PQQ). This second article looksat how to make a mess of yourtender documents.

The completion of a PQQ isstraightforward compared with a tender.Invitation-to-tender packs vary. Manyhave structured questions, but in somecases you will have no direction as towhat information to include. If you donot know in advance what to expect youwill be at a disadvantage.

If your tender response is informed byan up-to-date knowledge of your field, ifyou understand the policy context ofyour work, know what the current goodpractice is and have a feel for what isinnovative and what is old fashioned,then you are too well positioned andshow too much foresight. Perhaps youare experienced at completing grantapplications.

That is good but tender documentsreally require something more, a higherlevel response. If you do not look at howyou can develop your skills well inadvance of the issuing of the tenderdocuments then you will reduce yourchances of success.

Many tender processes are competitive.A good tender response is about sellingand showing the commissioner how yourorganisation can deliver the service theywant and doing so more effectively andefficiently than competitors. Ensuring thatit is not clear and concise and putting inwaffle and unnecessary jargon willdamage your chances of success.

Tender documents will be scored bythe commissioners. Not understandinghow scoring systems work will put youat a disadvantage. If you really want tofail, avoid going on training and certainlydo not read any of the guides available.

You may have warning of aforthcoming tender process. Failing to

do work in advance will mean you will bein a real rush to meet the deadlines. Donot consider these key points at theoutset:� Does the service fit with your

organisation’s objectives and businessplan?

� Can you make a realistic bid describing how you will deliver the contract, meet users’ needs and the commissioner’s requirements?

� Do you know the weighting of scores being given to quality and price?

� Are you sure you know the real costs of delivering the service? (Do you know what full cost recovery is?)

� Do you know what TUPE is and do you have to comply with it?

� Will the commissioner agree to consider collaborative bids by a consortium or with sub-contractors?

Certainly do not do any advance thinkingabout any relevant quality frameworksand monitoring frameworks if you wantto fail.

Many tender processes allow theminimum time allowed by the regulations.Perhaps you do not think that sevenweeks is short. It is, considering theamount of work required. Do not thinkabout getting a team ready to work onthe documents in advance. Certainly donot look at including key people such asthe chief executive, the finance workerand someone who is responsible for theoperational side of the service.

Avoid management committee input.Do not look at some examples of tenderdocuments to get an idea of the amountof work involved.Ensure that you include these commonfailings of tenders:� not providing the information required� not answering the questions, but

providing information which can be regarded as ‘marketing’

� basing your response on unsupported assertions rather than evidenced claims

� not including key documentation� not adequately demonstrating effective

management of risk throughout the organisation

It is easy to mess up at the very end byensuring an anonymous response, for

example by failing to include theorganisation’s logo on the envelope, orby not using a postal system whichidentifies the ‘sender’ on the package.Missing submission deadlines even by aminute will sink your proposal.

Finally you’ve submitted yourdocuments. Great! But the process isnot finished. It is likely you will have atleast one presentation to thecommissioners which will be taken intoaccount in their scoring. Lose marks bynot preparing for it.

If by chance you are successful expectfurther negotiations for a service thatyou might be expected to start deliveringalmost immediately! And be aware thatyou will be held to what you have said inyour tender documents. If you cannotdeliver what you have promised you willhave a tough time ahead.

A not-to-read listThis is a short reading list of some of themore substantial guides available on theweb. Each has a specific focus but canbe read more generally, if you reallymust:A Provider’s Guide to Procurement(2008) www.sitra.org.uk. Love your Tender: a guide tounderstanding contracting for smallorganisations (2009).www.childrenengland.org.ukMore Responsive Public Services? Aguide to commissioning migrant andrefugee community organisations (2008)www.jrf.org.uk

Getting involved in contracting is notright for all organisations. It is a decisionwith strategic implications and yourmanagement committee or board shouldbe aware of the implications. Keep themunaware by not buying: Commissioningand Procurement Fit for Purpose Toolkit:supporting trustees to make strategicdecisions about delivering public services(2007) available for £15 from the EastLondon CVS network on 01708 778 060This article is not a complete guide tofailing the tender. There is much morethat you shouldn’t do. For furtherinformation contact Chris Todd tel:020 7358 4822.

How to make a mess of yourtender documents

News


Lifeline for victims ofdomestic violencefonesforsafety® is a mobile phonerecycling scheme which reconfigures oldmobile phones into ‘999 only’ phonealarms for victims of domestic violence.They are reprogrammed to direct-dial999 at the touch of any key and canreceive incoming calls and textmessages for added reassurance. Thephones are distributed by local policeand domestic violence support agencies,and form part of the co-ordinatedcommunity response to domesticviolence.

In mid-June, Kit Malthouse, DeputyMayor for Policing formally launched theLondon-wide roll-out of thefonesforsafety® project at City Hall. TheLondon-wide roll-out aims to have aworking fonesforsafety® partnership ineach London borough over the next twoyears.

Organisations working with individualsaffected by domestic violence interestedin setting up a fonesforsafety®partnership locally should visitwww.fonesforsafety.org.uk or call MarieTan, Project Coordinator at 020 77406533 or [email protected] for moreinformation.

Unwanted mobile phones of any age,make, or condition can be donated bypopping them in a strong envelope orbox and addressing it to (no postageneeded!): fonesforsafety® @ CRISP,FREEPOST LON 15948, LONDON SE171BR. Alternatively, consider hosting acollection box or freepost envelopedistribution point!

Southside seekspremises in SouthwarkSouthside Partnership, which supports1,267 people, mainly in south London,with mental health support needs andlearning disabilities, is seeking space inSouthwark, especially the WalworthRoad, Camberwell, Peckham corridorarea. Southside would love to share withlike-minded organisations and wouldwelcome expressions of interest.

The space needed is for themanagement and delivery of a range ofservices for people with mental healthsupport needs and the staff to supportsuch services. Typically, supportincludes Community Outreach, dayservices/drop in, activities, café/socialspace. Specifically, Southside needsspace, either in the same building orseparately, for a daily and evening drop-in support and advice service for peoplewith mental health support needs andoffice space for 4-6 people hot desking,with access to meeting rooms.

The support and advice service will,ideally, be set up café style for around 20people and will also need a little kitchenin order to provide tea, coffee and caféstyle food to service users. This spacemight well be in a shop or have a shopfront and it will certainly be open plan.

If anyone is interested, please callKathy King on 020 8772 6196 or [email protected]

Southwark CABx

South East LondonMigrant AdviceService Southwark Citizens Advice BureauxService has been awarded funding byLondon Councils to provide generalistadvice to refugees and more recentlyarrived migrants, particularly thosewhose first language is not English. Thefunding is for four years andcommenced in November 2008.

Advice will be provided at generalistlevel with some casework. We cover:� Debt

� Benefits

� NASS support

� Housing

� Employment

� Consumer.

� Assistance with accessing services such as health care

Cases needing specialist support inareas such as immigration, debt andhousing will be referred either tospecialists within the CAB service or toother quality assured providers.

We have access to interpreters, andinformation about the service is providedin a variety of different languages. Wecan see people who have lived in the UKfor less than 10 years and live in one ofthe five South East London Boroughs(Southwark, Lewisham, Greenwich,Bexley, Bromley).

We can provide more outreach advicesessions in Lewisham and Southwark.Please contact us to discuss having anoutreach session at your venue.Deborah Gubbay, Senior Adviser, on 020

7394 7424 [email protected]

Money, Money, Money With 7pm starts, Community Councilmeetings are not favourite meetings formany people, but when there’s money tobe dished out attendances are high.Between the Cleaner, Greener, Safer andCommunity Fund initiatives, theCommunity Councils have given out overa million pounds to community projectsin the past year. So it was no surprise tosee well over 100 people at theWalworth Community Council meeting inJune. For more information onCommunity Council meetings in yourarea contact Forid Ahmed on 020 75255540.

BlackfriarsBefriendingOur successful Isolated EldersBefriending scheme is now in its fifthyear. Our volunteer befrienders are visitingisolated older people who often are lonelyand have few people to talk with. What we do:� Visit housebound, isolated 60+ older

people on a weekly basis.. � Volunteers befriend, helping break the

sense of isolation� Support needs by referring on to other

agencies � Help clients at home, dealing with

correspondence, taking them out, small shopping

� Enable clients to come to the clubs werun at Blackfriars Settlement.

� Train volunteers to carry out the visitsSophia Appleby, 020 7928 9521 or

[email protected]

FundingopportunitiesEuropean Social Fund (ESF)Community Grants Final round of grants of up to £12,000 tosupport small voluntary and communitysector organisations to engage with localcommunities and deliver training andemployment support activities, includingtraining such as confidence andmotivation building. Projects will befunded which work with the followinggroups:� women� disabled people� black and ethnic minority communities� older people (aged over 50 yrs)� young people (19-24 yrs)Groups who can apply must have nomore than two full-time paid staff, anincome last financial year of less than£67,000 and be constituted since 26December 2008Deadline: 14 September 2009Contact: www.gle.co.uk/services/communitygrants 020 7940 1515

Children England – smallgrants schemesA maximum of £2,500 is available toorganisations working with children,young people and families for the co-ordination and presentation/developmentof innovative practice in the field ofequality and diversity. All grants to bespent by 31 December 2009.Deadline: 1 September 2009Contact: [email protected]

Peter Cruddas Foundation (UK)They give funding for disadvantaged anddisengaged young people. Fundingstreams for 2009 include: support intomainstream education, training oremployment, crime diversion schemes,mentoring and general youth work inLondon. There are no deadlines.Contact:www.thepetercruddasfoundation.org.

New Leadership FundOrganisations with a proven track recordcan apply for a limited number of grantsof between £75,000 and £100,000 to setup new projects to increaseopportunities for 13-19 year olds to leadchange in their communities. Next closing date: 20 November 2009.Contact: www.theyouthoftoday.org/fund-your-deam-project.

Baily Thomas Charitable FundThe Fund gives grants to organisationsworking with children or adults withsevere learning difficulties, and/orautism. They will consider revenue andcapital expenditure. There is an onlineapplication process. Deadline: Next deadline for theDecember meeting is 1 October. Contact: www.bailythomas.org

Secret Millionaire Fund The Fund, from the Big Lottery, offersgrants of £300 - £10,000 for projectswhich benefit the community. Groupscan be nominated or apply directly.

The fund aims to make a difference tocommunities and the lives of those mostin need and will focus on social andenvironmental projects that benefit localcommunities . There is an on-lineeligibility test.Deadline: 21 December 2009. Contact: www.secretmillionaire.channel4.com/fund_info.shtml

Church Urban Fund - Mustard Seed grants The Grant Programme provides grants ofup to £5,000 to enable churches andfaith-based organisations to engage insocial action through supporting them toinitiate or develop community work.There are no deadlinesContact: www.cuf.org.uk/mustardseed.aspx. 020 7939 9415

Social EnterpriseInvestment FundThe Social Enterprise Investment Fund(SEIF) provides investment to help newsocial enterprises start up and existingsocial enterprises grow and improvetheir services. They support socialenterprises in the delivery of innovativehealth and social care services through acombination of loans, grants andbusiness support.Contact: www.dh.gov.uk/en/Managingyourorganisation/Socialenterprise/SocialEnterpriseInvestmentFund/Applyforaninvestment/. 0191 269 2276

Modernisation FundFuturebuilders England is providinginterest-free loans of between £30,000 to£500,000 to organisations which arefinding their services in particular demandas a consequence of the recession. Themoney can be used in connection withcollaborating with other organisations todeliver services or other collaboration

Funding


Freeone to one supportContact Wendy or Glenys tomake an appointment for helpidentifying funding sources foryour projects and filling inapplication forms (see page 2).

Reaching CommunitiesThe Big Lottery Fund is looking formore good applications fromSouthwark Groups for theirReaching Communities Programme.Grants are between £10,000 and£500,000 and they will give fundingfor up to 5 years. They want to fundactivities which will lead to thefollowing changes to communities,especially those which are hard toreach: � people having better chances in

life, including being able to get better access to training and development to improve their life skills

� strong communities, with more active citizens, working together to tackle their problems

� improved urban environments, which communities are better able to access and enjoy

� healthier and more active people and communities.

Contact:www.biglotteryfund.org.uk/prog_reaching_communities. 0845 4 10 20 To improve your chances ofsuccess we strongly recommendyou contact Wendy or Glenys forsupport with making yourapplication.

Southwark’s YouthOpportunity Fund Round 3Applications for funding of up to £5,000need to come from 13-19 year olds.Activities need to take place betweenDecember and 28 February 2010.Applicants need to be supported by anorganization, and there should be nomore than one application perorganistion.Deadline: 28 September 2009 12 noon.Contact: www.whtvr.org/get-involved/youth-funds or 020 7525 1778

Funding and Training


aimed to increase efficiency; the cost ofmerging with other organisations;recruiting new staff for example toimprove financial systems and skills, or tomeet increased demand for services;introducing new processes and systems.Contact: www.futurebuilders-england.org.uk 0191 269 2277.

AwardsIMPACT Awards reward charities thatare doing excellent work to improvepeople's health. The awards aredesigned to recognise success andachievements for existing work. Youdecide how to use the award money.Open to registered charities that are atleast three years old, working in a health-related field in the UK, with a total annualincome between £10,000 and £1 million.Deadline: 25 September 2009Contact: www.kingsfund.org.uk/research/projects/gsk_impact_awards/.

Innovation in theCommunity Awardsprovide funding for both technology-related projects and technologyequipment, to help 30 groups make themost of the internet.Deadline: 30 September 2009

Contact: www.talktalk.co.uk/information/innovation-in-the-community

Other Free guide to fundingand finance opportunities Funding Central has been launched. Thewebsite is a free guide for the voluntaryand community sector, including socialenterprises. It gives access to thousandsof funding and finance opportunities, toolsand resources to support your organisationin developing sustainable incomestrategies appropriate to your needs.Contact: www.fundingcentral.org.uk.

Giving World Online A website on which charities are offeredfree surplus stock from UK businesses.Firms can list unwanted stock, such asclothing or furniture and charities canthen claim it on a first-come, first-servedbasis.Contact: www.givingworldonline.com

Funding newsHardship FundThe Fund will provide grants of between£50,000 and £250,000 to organisationsthat are in financial hardship which is


impacting on their ability to deliverservices in the following areas:� Health and Social Care� Housing Support� Education and Training� Information, Advice and GuidanceMore information about about when theHardship Fund will open for applicationsand how to apply will be available on thewebsite shortly. Contact: www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/third_sector/news/news_stories/090611_hardship.aspx

Trusts expect togive less this year A survey by the Association ofCharitable Foundations found that morethan half of charitable trusts expect tocut their grant-making this year. Nearly athird expected it to fall next year as well.Support from CAS can help increaseyour chances of success in thesedifficult times – contact us well beforecurrent funding runs out, or you want tostart a new activity.The long-term outlook is moreoptimistic. For the period of three yearsand beyond, 21 per cent said theyexpected their grant-making to fall, but45 per cent said they intended toincrease grant-making.

Notices

COVO ConnectingVoices are currentlylooking for new

members to join their ManagementCommittee. We are looking for peoplewho have an interest in the kind ofservices we provide which aredeveloping and delivering creativeprogrammes addressing conflict,disaffection and under-achievement ineducation and the workplace. We workwith children, young people, parents,carers, teachers and professionals whowork with children.

We have been established since 1999 workingmainly in the borough of Southwark where weare based, but we also deliver projects in theLondon wide area.

Further information on our currentprogrammes are on our websitewww.covo.org.uk or call 020 7635 0007 oremail [email protected] for a brochure.

Documents

CASCADE