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
VSNW's Conference and AGM 2016: Community Powered Change. Book now
This year's VSNW conference, Community Powered Change, will look at how, in the context of inclusive growth and devolution, communities can be the drivers of transformation. Keynote speakers and panellists include: Professor Ruth Lupton, Head of the Inclusive Growth Analysis Unit, Kathy Evans, Chief Executive of Children England; Cllr Sean Anstee, potential Conservative candidate for Greater Manchester Mayor, Neil McInroy, Chief Executive of CLES, and Cllr Jean Stretton, Inclusive Growth lead for GMCA.
We will be partnering with CLES, Network for Europe, and colleagues from across academia, the public sector, and of course VCSE sector, to deliver workshops along three themes:
- Inclusive Growth: devolution, post-Brexit era social inclusion funding, regeneration in the North West, and measuring social success
- Transforming the Voluntary Sector: Voluntary sector partnerships, the sector’s role in devolution, and investment strategies for the sector
- Health and Social Care: Social Movements for Health, Realising the Value, and Sustainability and Transformation Plans
The conference will take place on the 5th December, from 09.30 - 16.30 at the People's History Museum in Manchester.
Places are limited, so please book using Eventbrite via the following link: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/community-powered-change-vsnws-annual-conference-2016-tickets-28721125660
Agenda
9.30am Refreshments and Registration
10.00am Introduction
Chair – Warren Escadale, Chief Executive, VSNW
Keynote speaker: Professor Ruth Lupton, Head of the Inclusive Growth Analysis Unit
Keynote speaker: Jim McMahon MP, Shadow Minister for Communities & Local Government and Devolution (invited)
Q&A with the speakers, Chaired by Debbie Dalby, VSNW Chair
11.00am Morning Workshops
Inclusive Growth for Communities
Economic regeneration in the North West: Matthew Jackson, Centre for Local Economic Strategies
Transforming the voluntary sector
Developing an investment strategy for the voluntary sector: Anne Lythgoe, Salford City Council
Health & Social Care
The sector’s role in Sustainability and Transformation Plans: TBC
12.00pm Lunch, AGM, and Voluntary Action in Action Photo Competition
13.15pm Afternoon Workshops 1
Inclusive Growth for Communities
Measuring social success: Dr Anthony Rafferty, Inclusive Growth Analysis Unit
Transforming the voluntary sector
Building effective voluntary sector partnerships: Representatives from the Cumbria Third Sector Network, GM VCSE Reference Group and Liverpool City Region VS6. Chaired by Warren Escadale
Health & Social Care
Person and Community Centred Care for Wellbeing - Realising the Value: Chris Dabbs, Unlimited Potential and Simon Kweeday, Big Life Group
14.15pm Afternoon Workshops 2
Inclusive Growth for Communities
Funding social inclusion in a Brexit era: Andy Churchill & John Hacking, Network for Europe and Gill Bainbridge, Merseyside Youth Association
Transforming the voluntary sector
The VCSE role in devolution: lessons from Sheffield, Cardiff, Greater Manchester, and Swansea: Dr David Beel, University of Sheffield
Health & Social Care
Social Movements for Health: Ben Gilchrist, VSNW & Action Together & other speaker TBC
15.15pm Afternoon refreshments
15.30pm How will devolution transform communities? Panel discussion
Kathy Evans, Chief Executive of Children England
Cllr Sean Anstee, Conservative candidate for Greater Manchester Mayor
Neil McInroy, Chief Executive of Centre for Local Economic Strategies
Cllr Jean Stretton, GMCA lead for Inclusive Growth
Chair: Warren Escadale, Chief Executive of VSNW
16.20pm Round up and finish
Booking
Places are limited, and if more than one delegate wishes to attend from the same organisation they must book individually. Please book by Wednesday 30th November via the following link: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/community-powered-change-vsnws-annual-conference-2016-tickets-28721125660
If you are a VCSE organisation in the North West, the event is free to attend.
If you work for a non-VCSE organization or are an individual, the cost is £50 plus VAT per delegate.
For any queries regarding the conference, please contact Sam Popper on 0161 276 9300 or at sam.popper@vsnw.org.uk.
New Regional Voices briefing: VCSE Review Recommendations
Regional Voices, of which VSNW is a member, has published a new summary of the recommendations of the VCSE Review. The review examined the role of the VCSE in improving health, wellbeing and care outcomes.
Regional Voices, of which VSNW is a member, has published a new summary of the recommendations of the VCSE Review. The review examined role of the VCSE in improving health, wellbeing and care outcomes.
The report is based on the largest ever review of the voluntary sector's involvement in statutory health and social care, urges hospitals, clinical commissioning groups and councils to do more to involve expert charities in the design and delivery of services of all kinds.
The summary includes the 28 report recommendations covering issues including social prescribing, volunteering, transparency and funding to support the sector.
VSNW and Compact Voice survey into cross-partnership working
Last summer, we conducted a short survey looking at cross-sector partnership working in the North West, in association with Compact Voice. We are now asking VCS organisations to complete a follow-up survey to assess if the level of partnership engagement has changed
Last summer, we conducted a short survey looking at cross-sector partnership working in the North West, in association with Compact Voice. We are now asking VCS organisations to complete a follow-up survey to assess if the level of partnership engagement has changed.
The five minute survey has seven questions and it will provide us with a valuable insight into the extent to which charities are engaged in the commissioning of public services, and how they are working with different commissioning bodies.
Commissioners include not only local authorities but also newer bodies such as Clinical Commissioning Groups, Police and Crime Commissioners and Local Enterprise Partnerships. The results of the survey will help us to identify the changes to partnerships with these bodies and the continuing support and guidance that is required to further improve their effectiveness.
The survey is available via the following link - https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/KPWVSX5. The deadline for completing the survey is 5pm on Wednesday 6th April.
Compact at Work - Creating a space for cross-sector dialogue in Warrington
Shortlisted for a 2015 Compact Award, Warrington Voluntary Action have published, with Compact Voice, a case study of their work to improve relations between the local authority and voluntary sector in Warrington, which has led to a renewed local Compact
In seeking to improve their relationship with the local voluntary sector, Warrington Borough Council created the new post of Third Sector Partnership Development Officer. The new role, managed jointly by the council and Warrington Voluntary Action, coordinates a Third Sector Network Hub, which hosts meetings of strategic importance to cross-sector relationships and ensures a positive dialogue is maintained between the council and the voluntary sector.
This work led to a Local Compact Partnership Award nomination at the 2015 Compact Awards.
If you have other stories or evidence of similar work, please let us know by contacting Helen Walker, Communications Officer at helen.walker@vsnw.org.uk.
Link
Compact at Work - Creating a space for cross-sector dialogue in Warrington
VSNW sign letter to the Prime Minister on anti-advocacy clauses
Along with over 140 other charities, Voluntary Sector North West have signed a letter to the Prime Minister to express concern about the proposed 'anti-advocacy' clause that the government is proposing to include in new grant contracts from 1st May 2016
Along with over 140 other charities, Voluntary Sector North West have signed a letter to the Prime Minister to express concern about the proposed 'anti-advocacy' clause that the government is proposing to include in new grant contracts from 1st May 2016.
More details about the proposed new clause can be found on the GOV.UK website - https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-announces-new-clause-to-be-inserted-into-grant-agreements. The exact phrase reads:
"The following costs are not Eligible Expenditure: Payments that support activity intended to influence or attempt to influence Parliament, government or political parties, or attempting to influence the awarding or renewal of contracts and grants, or attempting to influence legislative or regulatory action".
Many other groups have expressed concern about the impact of such a clause on the important work that many of us do in helping to inform government policy. Some of the details are still unclear about how the clause will actually work in practice.
The letter and full list of signatories can be found on the NCVO website - https://www.ncvo.org.uk/about-us/media-centre/press-releases/1249-charities-letter-to-the-prime-minister-on-anti-advocacy-clauses-in-grant-agreements