VCS EngageHelp create a plan for the future of the voluntary, community and social

enterprise sector in Norfolk

Have your say!Fill in the survey

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/vcsengage

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What is VCS Engage?

• Three-year programme supporting effective dialogue between Norfolk County Council and the VCSE sector

• Norfolk Rural Community Council, Momentum (Norfolk) and West Norfolk Voluntary & Community Action working in partnership to deliver this

• Starting by gathering views and evidence: the Sector Led Plan

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Why a Sector Led Plan?

We want to ensure that:

• Those speaking on behalf of the sector are supported by strong evidence

• We are working on the right priorities on behalf of a very diverse sector

• We are proactive in addressing these priorities

• We are sensitive to the different needs of different parts of the sector

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What has happened so far?

• 8 events held across the county to gather views (including a presentation at the VSF)

• More than 150 delegates

• In-depth interviews to explore the issues

• Spoken to 60 organisations so far

• Survey at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/vcsengage

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What have people told us are their priority issues?

• Funding• Information and communication • Volunteers• Contracts (complexity of tender

process and application and reporting requirements for grants and contracts)

• Transport• Young people• Access to services or the people

who need them• NHS • Partnerships• Public sector engagement• Sustainability of organisations,

projects or services• Isolation• Long-term funding• Training• Reduced services • Broadband• Norfolk County Council • Older people• Staff • Competition • Community engagement• Benefits and welfare reform• Mental health

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In more detail: funding

• Cuts in the public sector leading to increased demand for VCSE services

• Short-term funding prevents long-term planning and affects staff morale

• Funders always want something new

• Competition for limited funding hinders partnership working

• Application and monitoring requirements excessively complicated and time-consuming

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In more detail: staff and volunteers

• Time and resources to train and support volunteers and staff

• Retaining good staff in uncertain climate

• Shortage of trustees

• Concern about over-reliance on volunteers and difficulty recruiting

• Desire to increase engagement with local community and widen participation

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In more detail: communication• Improving public sector understanding of

what the VCSE is and how it works

• Gathering data to demonstrate impact

• Promoting the work of the voluntary and community sector and better sharing of information

• Making sure public sector, other VCSE organisations and the public know about what we do and how to access services

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Views on services

• Norfolk is a good place to live

• Staff are dedicated and committed

• Lack of positive activities for young people, particularly in rural areas

• Frequency, reliability and cost of transport options is an issue

• Would like to see shared long-term strategy and focus on prevention

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Views on infrastructure support

• Practical support is good

• Cost of training can be a challenge and it needs to be pitched at the appropriate level

• Different needs and benefits of infrastructure between smaller and larger organisations

• Want more networking and shared learning

• Facilitating cooperation and helping to broker partnerships

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Views on dialogue with NCC

• Difficulty building relationships when personnel change frequently

• Challenges with commissioning

• Nature of the relationship – want to be treated as equal partner

• Importance of accountability and transparency in VCSE representation at strategic conversations

• Two-way communication is essential

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What next?

Initial Engagementactivities that help highlight the issues and

provide qualitative depth of

understanding

Quantitative Survey built

using the understanding of the issues

Clear evidence base of quantitative and qualitative information available to all

Developing Solutions &

Priorities based on the evidence

Communicating and delivering

on solutions and priorities

Steering Group

Nov-Dec Feb March April-May June

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Stay involved

• Do the survey at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/vcsengage

• Watch out for updates on mailings

• Get in touch ruth@norfolkrcc.org.uk