The Baobab Foundation Report
‘Digging Deeper Report: Insights on tailored funding to organisations led by black people and communities experiencing racial injustice in 2020’
As stated in a previous article, The Baobab Foundation has been set up in response to the Black Lives Matter movement and the stark inequalities further exposed by the global pandemic. The foundation aims to reestablish how black and ethnic minoirty-led VCSE organisations are funded and expose how the funding landscape has “enabled” or “limited” the work of these organisations.
Their report spoke to 26 respondents from 19 organisations.
Findings:
Rise in funding but exposure of limitaitions of support that would bring about systemic change, proportional investment
Focus on emergency response, not long-term solutions to tackle racial injustice
Some funders are putting social change as a priority, but more needs to be done to “integrate a racial and intersectional lens across funder strategies”
Thoughts:
Baobab do not use acronyms, as they regard them as an oversimplification of the lived experiences of individuals
Need to use ‘Intersectional approach’ as a framework to understand inequalities. Intersectionality which considers the various plethora of contexts and backgrounds that contribute to a persons lived experience, needs to be taken into account to build knowledge and resistance.
Funder Progress:
Increased availability & flexability of funding
“Shift towards participatory funding models”- including funders listening to experts on racial injustice
Investment into “lived experience funders and organisations”
Community issues now:
Progress remains limited, due to inhibted long-term and scaled flexible investment:
Funding doesn’t go beyond March 2021
Funding has failed geographical and intersectional disparities across UK
Groups still struggling with historic underinvestment
Moving towards an anti-racist & intersectional funding approach:
Funders need to be explicit about racial inequities
Understanding that racial injustice spans many social change strategies
Funders need to increase equity and transparency
Funders need to adopt risk-taking behaviour to generate innovations
Funders need to consciously work with groups outside of London
Trauma-informed approach to reduce harm in funding process needed
Call to Action to Funders:
Long-term and flexible funding (5+ years)
Address dispairites for groups outside of London
Build strategic partnerhships with organisations led by black people and communities experiencing racial injustice
Use “transforamtive policies and practices”
Adopt a trauma-informed approach across funding
Full report here.
Brief report here.
Health Inequalities in Some of the Most Vulnerable Neighbourhoods
Professor Chris Bentley is a Non-Executive Director at Wirral Community Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust and is also the Chair of the Quality and Safety committee. He is a prominent figure in population health and specialises in health inequalities.
Chris’ recent presentation ‘Place-based approaches to Health Inequalities in the System’s Most Vulnerable Neighbourhoods’ explores how to address some instances of health inequality in Cheshire and Merseyside.
In it’s simplest definition ‘health inequalities’ refers to the health differences across groups and populations which are beyond an individual’s control. However, according to Chris, it is important not to ‘over define’ health inequalities. The current Coronavirus pandemic has accentuated the already prominent disadvantage across certain groups in relation to health, but also housing, food, employment, income etc.
There are certain ways we can intervene:
These segments need to work together to have the greatest impact.
Cheshire and Merseyside have some of the most prolific hospital admissions in its most deprived areas in comparison to the national average. This insight includes admissions that could have been prevented through out of hospital care; this pattern is characteristic of the North West as a region.
Can these emergency admissions be prevented from out of hospital care? And why are some areas able to reduce poor outcomes more successfully than others?
Seemingly, across Cheshire and Merseyside communitiy preventions are not always successful at supporting residents to avoid crises. Chris suggests three ways this can be addressed:
Unwarranted service variation
Community-based interventions and
Service engagement with communities
What is imperative to addressing the excessive hospital admissions in the most deprived neighbourhoods and helping avoidance of crises is bridging the gap betweeen services and communities. There is already a lot of work going on in communities and the health services have often not integrated with the already established and trusted organisations in these communities. Perhaps on a place-basis what we need to do is link primary care networks into these already existing structures, thus harnessing them to bridge the gap between health care and communities.
Systems need to address this issue in order to make a percentage change. Some health systems are already making progress and connecting with communities by working with groups and organisations, however, in others there is still lots of work to be done. This is what the Cheshire and Merseyside partnership will be looking to take forward.
Please watch Chris Bentley’s full presentation. He eloquently explores the above whilst going into more statisitcal detail regarding specific areas of Cheshire and Merseyside.
Greater Manchester Covid Insight Reports
Safely Managing Covid-19: Manchester Population Survey
The impacts of coronavirus across the Greater Manchester population have not been evenly distributed. In order to address the lack of detail in national surveys the Greater Manchester Combined Authority are going to carry out regular research on behalf of their partners, exploring the issues and impacts of Covid-19 across Greater Manchester, including it’s 10 local authorities.
BMG research are using a mixture of monthly online and telephone surveys to collect data from a minimum of 1000 residents in GM, with at least 100 residents in each local authority. Measures are being taken to ensure that respondents reflect the profile of the different areas
Thus far, there have been two surveys:
Survey 1:
Aim: to provide an overview of key issues/barriers/motivations relating to how GM, individual localities and specific parts of the GM population are “living with Covid-19"
Brief Summary of findings:
These groups have been more negatively impacted than others:
Young people, particularly those aged 16-24;
Residents with young children, and particularly those aged 0-4yrs
BME residents overall, but Asian residents in particular;
Muslim residents and those for whom English is not their first language;
Carers, and residents where someone in their household has been told they are at high risk from COVID;
Those with a disability;
Residents that have served in the armed forces;
Those living in the ‘most deprived’ communities of Greater Manchester, among others.
Examples of some of the feelings and concerns due to Covid-19 include:
High levels of worry about the virus, especially amongst those with a disability, children and those in the most deprived neighbourhoods
Worries regarding the economy and future of young people, mental health, education
Many have big concerns affording bills, food, rent, mortgages etc
BAME residents regarded caring for family, those in needs etc a ‘big concern’.
Selection of impacts Covid-19:
Loss of jobs, redundancy (more frequent for 16-24 year olds, students, Asian residents etc), furlough
Many self-employed have seen reduction in work
1 in 14 have used foodbanks (1 in 5 amongst those with children aged 0-4 and ex armed forces).
1 in 10 have had to borrow money
Reports of more support needed widely spread (finding employment, mental health, monetary, childcare)
Survey 2:
Some questions remained the same from survey 1, comparisons made
Aims to understand concerns and impacts of the virus
Also aims to understand residents feelings towards a second national lockdown and thoughts on vaccinations and mass testing
Highlights:
1 in 5 have had coronavirus (only 2/3 have had a positive test)
1 in 3 have had to self-isolate (only small number aware of financial suppot payment during this time)
Levels of concern have increased
Individual concerns increased such as mental health, finances, impacts on children
1 in 10 couldn’t name any of the key symptoms of coronavirus
9 in 10 follows key guidelines for stopping spread of virus
52% feel it is okay to leave house when self-isolating
Faith in restrictions decreasing
68% would take part in community testing, those who wouldn’t not informed
75% likely to get vaccine
Life satisfaction decreased
Third Sector Grants Programme in Salford found to have significant positive impact
The Salford Third Sector Fund Grants Programme – a two year partnership between Salford CVS and Salford CCG, funding voluntary and community groups supporting wellbeing – has been found to have a significant positive impact, valued at over £11.4m; over seven times the £1.6m awarded.
The evaluation, which was carried out by Voluntary Sector North West and the Centre for Local Economic Strategies, found that the partnership was effective, the programme was well designed, and a robust application process has boosted overall standards in the third sector.
Although Salford CCG funded the programme, Salford CVS were given relative freedom to administer the grants. The evaluation highlighted the importance of this degree of separation, saying that it had identified ‘the competency of Salford CVS in managing the programme from design, through to delivery; and in strategically developing the capacity of the voluntary and community sector.’
158 voluntary, community and social enterprise organisations in Salford received funding through the programme, in addition to 69 primary schools. A review of all the grants awarded showed that they generally promoted healthy eating in children, provided new community facilities and reduced isolation, and improved capacity in the third sector.
The programme has been hailed as a success, and Salford CCG have already agreed to roll out the programme for another three years. The evaluation recommends that the values of the programme are ‘replicated across Greater Manchester’, and that the programme is joined up to other agendas.
Warren Escadale, VSNW’s Chief Executive said that “this highly successful grants programme shows that effective partnerships between the NHS and third sector are not about over prescriptive contracts but about developing a shared vision and framework, and then giving freedom to partners when they are best placed to deliver.”
“Our evaluation shows that grants can be the most effective way to award funds, particularly for smaller organisations who do not have the capacity to extensively monitor their own work. Trust between partners is vital, and the history of joint working between the NHS, council and third sector in Salford no doubt underpinned this.”
To view the summary of the Salford Third Sector Fund Grants Programme, click here
To view the full evaluation of the Salford Third Sector Fund Grants Programme, click here
Community Based Wellbeing takes centre stage at Liverpool City Region Health Summit
Warren Escadale made a presentation at the summit, in which he championed the role of the sector moving forward, and covered various aspects of community wellbeing, with the support of the VS6 partnership. The city region’s lead on Health, Cllr Andy Moorhead (leader of Knowsley Council) made a formal commitment to drawing together a partnership in order to drive improvements in health and social care, which the VCSE sector will be a part of.
Warren's presentation is shown below.
Warren Escadale: Community Wellbeing from sampopperVSNW
The rest of the presentations from the night can be viewed by following the links below:
Clare Duggan: Challenges and Opportunities for Health
Matthew Ashton: Improving Health and Wellbeing in our Region
Rhiannon Corcoran: Mental Health and Wellbeing
Halton - a social value borough
Halton & St Helens Voluntary and Community Action have been working with a range of partners to implement social value in Halton. This case study shows the areas of work that they have been involved in and the benefits of these
Halton & St Helens Voluntary and Community Action have been working with a range of partners to implement social value in Halton. This case study shows the areas of work that they have been involved in and the benefits of these.
Social Value Core Group
Halton & St Helens VCA took on responsibility for facilitating the Social Value Core Steering Group in the area during the 2015/16 financial year. This group has provided leadership to the programme in Halton and has met several times in the last twelve months. It's main responsibility is to build on the social value work that already existed in Halton and to drive the work forward, bringing the concept of social value to life.
Ann-Marie Lawrenson, Halton & St Helens VCA Capacity Team Leader stated that "Every partner involved in social value in Halton is passionate about driving this forward. It is going far beyond just implementing the Social Value Act to ensure that it is embedded in everything we do. All partners have a valuable contribution to make to its success."
Social Value Charter
A session attended by more than 70 people provided the initial input to the creation of Halton's Social Value Charter. Following further work by the Core Group and a consultation, a final version was agreed which was also approved by the Council's Executive, the Health & Wellbeing Board, Local Strategic Partnership and the CCG's Governing Body. Halton & St Helens VCA have arranged the design and printing of the charter, following a competition with design and art students at Riverside College. The students designed a logo and the winner received a £100 voucher sponsored by the Core Group.
The charter has now been fully agreed and it will be launched in the near future.
Training Package
A small sum was set aside to allow a VCA member of staff to undertake a CLES Train the Trainer course on understanding social value. An awareness session was subsequently developed for VCSE organisations to improve their understanding of social value and 20 groups have attended so far to understand how it works in practice.
Wellbeing Enterprise are leading, on behalf of the Halton Social Value working group, the development of a bespoke training package which has been designed to be delivered to high level strategic contacts within the borough.
If you would like any more information on this work, please contact Ann-Marie on 01928 593 111 or at alawrenson@haltonsthelensvca.org.uk.
Two innovative Salford services selected for Realising the Value programme
Two Salford services dedicated to giving people the tools to make improvements to their health and wellbeing have been selected to take part in a national programme funded by NHS England
Two Salford services dedicated to giving people the tools to make improvements to their health and wellbeing have been selected to take part in a national programme funded by NHS England.
Being Well Salford and Unlimited Potential (in partnership with Inspiring Communities Together) have been chosen as two of the five local sites selected to participate in the Realising the Value programme, led by Nesta and the Health Foundation, and in partnership with the consortium Voluntary Voices. Through the programme, the organisations will enhance their services across Salford whilst championing their innovative models for health and wellbeing.
The Realising the Value programme is focused on making person and community-centred approaches a reality and is about strengthening the case for change, identifying evidence-based approaches that engage people in their own health and care, and developing tools to support implementation across the NHS and local communities. On completion, the work of the participating sites will be shared. It will develop the participating services, and share them nationally as examples of how best to achieve the vision of NHS England’s Five Year Forward View.
Being Well Salford
This project provides a team of coaches who work with individuals for up to 12 months on a one-to-one or group basis to make positive changes in terms of mood, weight, being active and smoking or alcohol intake.
Regarding taking part in the programme, Simon Kweeday, Assistant Director for Being Well Salford said: “We are really excited to be part of the programme. We look forward to learning more about how we can have a national influence, and how to further develop to continue to provide a first-class service to Salford residents.”
Being Well Salford was chosen due to its track record of transforming services – moving away from old-fashioned and expensive NHS models of delivering public health, and creating services that reach communities that are traditionally hard to impact creating effective, lasting change.
This is reflected in the service being presented with two awards recently, the Royal Society of Public Health presented a Health and Wellbeing 2015 award to Being Well Salford and Public Health Minister Jane Ellison MP recognised the service for its outstanding contribution to the public’s health – selecting it for the prestigious Public Health Minister’s Award.
Unlimited Potential
The Unlimited Potential services improve wellbeing by focusing on the strengths of local people, rather than their needs.
For instance, one project is focused on improving the wellbeing of disadvantaged children by finding new ways of working with their fathers. This work led to Salford Dadz - a network of local fathers who have created male-friendly spaces where positive role models talk openly ‘shoulder to shoulder’, as well as taking part in fun dad-child bonding activities.
Unlimited Potential is working in partnership with Inspiring Communities Together, a local community organisation that works to engage older people and their carers - again, focusing on an individual’s strengths.
Chris Dabbs, Director of Innovation at Unlimited Potential said: “The opportunity to work with leading national organisations participating in the Realising the Value programme is one that we could not turn down. Having two of the five sites selected locally in Salford reflects the quality of innovation and practice that exists here in engaging with local people in the city.”
Realising the Value is a programme of work funded by NHS England and delivered by a consortium of partners including Nesta, the Health Foundation, Voluntary Voices (made up of National Voices, Regional Voices, NAVCA and Volunteering Matters), the Institute of Health and Society at Newcastle University and the Behavioural Insights Team. For more information about the programme, please visit the Realising the Value website.
Collaborative Working: The Third Sector and the University of Liverpool
Knowsley CVS, other Merseyside social sector organisations and the University of Liverpool recently held a forum to discuss how the VCS and the university can collaborate more
Knowsley CVS, other Merseyside social sector organisations and the University of Liverpool recently held a forum to discuss how the VCS and the university can collaborate more.
This collaboration could be;
- Developing joint research projects
- Adding skills and capacity to organisations using students whilst providing real work experience.
- Helping academics with their own thought leadership about major issues facing the sector.
Karl Wilding, Director of Public Policy at NCVO, suggested his own ideas about some of the big issues facing the sector where research and evidence could help and the rest of the session focussed on feedback from the sector advising the university on how it could make itself more accessible to the social sector, not least better communication about what is on offer and how /who to get in touch with.
Also, Knowsley CVS recently took advantage of a Knowledge Exchange programme with the university to carry out research into social value in Knowsley and they are in regular dialogue with all the local universities and Knowsley CC about volunteering opportunities for groups. A link to the social value report is attached below.
Link
The future of Liverpool City Region and the role of the local sector
The VS6 Partnership has written to congratulate the Chair of the Combined Authority on gaining a devolution deal for the Liverpool City Region
The VS6 Partnership has written to congratulate the Chair of the Combined Authority on gaining a devolution deal for the Liverpool City Region. VS6 is a network which provides a focal point for Voluntary, Community, Faith and Social Enterprise (VCFSE) support providers to debate, influence and shape policy at the Liverpool City Region level. They work on behalf of the 8,000 VCFSE groups that work for local communities across the six local authority areas of the City Region.
The Partnership has been working closely with VSNW and, for the benefit of local communities, has made a number of offers to support greater voluntary, community and social enterprise sector involvement in shaping the devolution agenda and public service reform workstreams moving forward.
Link
VS6 letter to Cllr Phil Davies Chair, Liverpool City Region Combined Authority