National papers tell us what we already know

/by

Several national reports have been released in recent months, painting a rather bleak picture for our sector. However, these reports may provide us with the data we need to advocate for our cause.

Despite our challenges, it’s important to remember that these issues are widespread and that support is available from Support Cambridgeshire. Whether you’re struggling with funding, volunteer recruitment, or other specific challenges, there are resources to help you find tailored solutions for your organisation, so do get in contact info@supportcambridgeshire.org.uk

NCVO Almanac

The Almanc 2024 is a great paper to look at if you want to see the national state of our sector and see the trends happening around us. It’s always a little behind where we are, but it holds great data that showcases things like financials, workforce, impact, and finally, volunteers of the sector. First published in 1996 it is a go to national paper to use if you want to compare your organisation with the national picture.

Some of the headlines from the report:

  • The voluntary sector is still recovering from the challenges brought by the COVID-19 pandemic with an increase of groups of 0.5%
  • 14.2 million people volunteered at least once with a group or organisation
  • London remains the centre of the UK’s Voluntary sector, but micro and small organisations account for 80% of the sector.
  • Women make up 68% of the sector’s workforce, and it has the oldest workforce in the UK.

To read the full report click here. 

 

Community Life Survey

The Department of Culture, Media and Sport and Office for Civil Society compiled this report. The new updates reflect the 2023/24, along with the quarterly release for January to March. Much like the Almanac, this paper is great if you want to reference national statistics or see what is happening from a broader perspective. This report is more than just the voluntary and community sector, though volunteering is a section; here, you can find the national trends around things like loneliness, neighbourhood and community, charitable giving, civic engagement and social action.

Some of the headlines from the report:

  • 1 in 10 of adults have reported high levels of indirect loneliness (a score of 8 or 9)
  • 61% of adults felt they belonged ‘very strongly’ or fairly strongly to their immediate neighbourhood.
  • 81% of adults agree that their local area is a place where people from different backgrounds get on well together
  • 16% of respondents had taken part in formal volunteering (defined as giving unpaid help to clubs, groups and organisations) at least once a month.

To read the 2023/24 report click here

 

Cambridgeshire State of the Sector

While our local version of the two above papers hasn’t recently launched any new data, we are collecting it for next year’s report. So, if you’re linked to a non-profit organisation, then we want to know how you find the current environment to work in. The survey is open to any one who is linked with a group should you volunteer or work for them, you may not know all the answers to all the questions but those you do will help Support Cambridgeshire to make the local case to our decision makers in Cambridgeshire. Also, you are welcome to use this data in your own applications or generally to see how Cambridgeshire is against the national picture.

To take part in the 2025 report click here – closing date 17th February 2025

To read past reports click here

Come work for Support Cambridgeshire

/by

Both partners of the Support Cambridgeshire partnership are currently recruiting for two exciting roles. To find out more, please click the more information tab under the article.

Deputy CEO (Maternity Cover) – Hunts Forum

Salary: £38,785 – £41,942 pro rata (depending on experience)
Location: The Maple Centre, Huntingdon, PE29 7HN, with flexible home working
Hours: Minimum 21 hours up to 35 hours per week
Contract: 12 months fixed term (maternity cover)
Closing Date: Thursday 2nd January

Interviews: WC 13th January 2025

About the Role

As Deputy CEO, you will provide strategic leadership, manage key projects, and represent the voluntary and community sector (VCS) across Cambridgeshire. Working closely with the CEO and senior management team, you’ll ensure the delivery of impactful programmes, support staff development, and oversee accreditation processes.

Key responsibilities include:

  • Representing the organisation on strategic boards and partnerships.
  • Developing and implementing projects aligned with organisational goals.
  • Managing and mentoring staff and volunteers to achieve excellence.
  • Leading on funding opportunities and accreditation processes.
  • Deputising for the CEO when required.

This is an exciting opportunity to shape services, champion the VCS, and drive positive change in the local community.

More information can be found here

Fenland Communications Worker – CCVS

Salary: £26,849 – £29,832 pro rata per annum
Hours: 14 hours per week (35 full-time)
Contract: Fixed term 4 years
Closing Date: Monday 6th January

Interviews: WC 20th January 2025

About the Role

This role will work as part of the Support Fenland team to develop the Support Fenland brand, support the team’s work and engage new audiences. We’d prefer a Fenland resident (living in the district of Fenland District Council) but this is not essential.

It is a perfect opportunity for someone who is creative and keen to work in a supportive environment, to develop communication and digital skills, and who would like to gain experience in a small charity. We are looking for someone who shares our enthusiasm for Fenland charities and community groups and the work they do and is conscientious, passionate, positive, and ready to learn.

More information can be found here 

Banking Woes for Charities: A Persistent Problem

/by

Managing finances for small community organisations has always been a hassle. The process has been far from smooth, from cumbersome paperwork to limited online access. The pandemic exacerbated these issues, with many banks closing their doors or restricting services for charities.

NCVO and Chairty Finance Group’s recent report sheds light on the charitable sector’s ongoing challenges. While it confirms what many of us already know, it also signifies a crucial step toward addressing this persistent problem.

To read the full NCVO article : Click Here 

 

Launch of the 2025 State of the Sector Survey: Share Your Insights! 

/by

As we approach the end of 2024, it’s time once again for us to hear directly from the voluntary and community sector about the challenges and opportunities you face. From 26 November 2024 to 17 February 2025, we invite charities, not-for-profits, and community groups across Cambridgeshire to participate in this vital survey. 

This year feels calmer compared to the upheavals of recent times. Yet, beneath this relative quiet, our communities continue to grapple with complex issues—and the voluntary sector plays a crucial role in meeting these needs. 

The 2024 State of the Sector report “We get back up again” painted a challenging picture: a drop in volunteer numbers, growing demands for services, and stretched waiting lists. This evidence helped Support Cambridgeshire advocate for the invaluable contribution of charities and community groups in a landscape of tightening budgets and cuts to public services. 

Now, we need your voice again. How has your organisation fared this year? 

  • Are you still finding it difficult to recruit volunteers? 
  • Has funding improved or worsened? 
  • Are you feeling more optimistic about the future of your group? 

This survey is your opportunity to share your experiences and make sure your voice is heard. The survey is circulated with statutory officers, councillors and funders across the county.The insights you provide will help us build a clear picture of the challenges and opportunities across the sector, enabling us to advocate effectively on your behalf. 

By completing the survey, you’ll: 

  1. Contribute to a county-wide understanding of the voluntary and community sector. 
  2. Help shape strategies and policies that support your work. 
  3. Highlight emerging trends or challenges that require attention in 2025. 

It only takes a short time to complete, but the impact of your input will resonate throughout the year. All organisations that fill out the survey will be entered into a prize draw for £100 for that organisation. The closing date for the survey is 17th February 2025, and the prize draw will follow this. 

 

If you would like help completing the survey over the phone, or if you would prefer a paper copy of the survey, please call CCVS: 07935 649805. 

The Voluntary Sector Network meeting – 13th November 2024

/by

Chair Sandie Smith

Laura Porro

Laura attended the meeting to give an update on the ICS People Strategy. This has been a co-produced piece of work and is to cover the next 5 years.

It has been decided to have 5 mission areas.

  • A more integrated and flexible workforce.
  • An attractive system-wide career offer.
  • A workforce with the skills and leadership for the future.
  • An equal, diverse and inclusive workforce.
  • Strong foundations for working together.

Nine actions have been shortlisted and prioritised from a long list of 69 identified actions. These will be taken forward by task and finish groups which will start in 2025.

The strategy is now being written and will include a traditional written strategy but will also have an interactive webpage to encourage more engagement.

As each chapter is written we will bring it back to the VSN for feedback. We want to ensure that we have the language right for all parties.

Laura has consulted the VSN strategy and has an advanced awareness of the voluntary sector so is making sure that this new strategy matches ours where appropriate.

The ICB are aware that changes sometimes take too long to happen/ implement, so we are looking at a different style of delivery method. We plan to have some smaller task and finish groups so work can be done in the background and thus speed up delivery. We may at this point come to the voluntary sector for involvement.

It was raised that some of the contracts from Health and other statutory bodies are now asking employers to pay the Real Living Wage which most organisations want to aspire to. However the cost implications for this are just not with raising the lower wages but having to up all wages. This was an issue before the government then asked for more

contributions. It was asked that there could be a commitment to the understanding of this.

Laura asked how this could be captured in the strategy.

ACTION Sandie to liaise with KS, SA, and JL and send out a paragraph to include in the strategy to reflect this.

It was acknowledged that there have been increased opportunities for training which has been taken up my some of the VSN members.

There is a willingness for some secondments into and from the ICS but the process for this needs consideration.

Director Update- Sandie

STRATEGY- the consultation on the strategy and action plan is now complete. It has been taken to the steering group and Andrea and Sandie have presented it to several ICS committees and a few tweaks have been made. Andrea will be taking it to the ICB executive meeting to get approval and then it will go to the Investment, Commissioning, improvement and Reform Committee in December. The Steering group will then sign this off ready for the launch at the January VSN meeting. A work plan will then be put in place to address actions.

NEW MODEL OF CARE- we have had some briefings on this and the aim is for there to be a digital improvement with an aim to make systems compatible and thus easy for all.

A workshop has been held around the potential providers of digital platforms. Invites went out to the Voluntary sector as well as others and included people with lived experience. When we have more information we will share it with the group.

NORTH PLACE DEVELOPMENT MEETING- Sandie had asked for people who may be interested in this after being offered some places for the voluntary sector. We had a lot of interest in this and Sandie has spoken to the chair to look at priorities for the areas and see which organisation was best placed. Sandie thanked people for their enthusiasm for this and those who have not been offered a place this time may find other opportunities are just around the corner. There are no notes for these meetings but Sandie said she may be able to include something from North and South in her news bulletins.

ACTION Sandie to source items for newsletter/ bulletin for future.

A mention of the Poverty Strategy Commission for Cambridgeshire- If groups want to submit evidence for the commissioners then they can do. Several organisations are involved including DISH, Reimagine, CAB and Sunnetwork.

Peterborough also has had the Poverty Truth Commission. This is due to end soon and they are holding a big event in February.

ACTION Sandie to include both links in the next newsletter.

MEETINGS- the next meeting is an in-person meeting being held in Hartford Village Hall. We have 3 of the Assura/ICB-funded projects coming to share their success and if any other Assura/ICB projects or collaborations would like to present please contact Debbie or Sandie.

We have had interest nationally in these funded projects as we worked with the Integrated neighbourhoods and NAVCA will be attending the December meeting and doing some filming.

Karen Nolan from Assura (Head of Social Impact) has also asked to attend.

We have invited Matthew Smith to present the ICS Outcomes Framework.

PLACE ON ICB BOARD- The steering group had been invited to submit a letter of request for a VSN place on the ICB board. The letter has been submitted and we are awaiting a response. Across the country, some VSNs have a place others do not.

VCSE Reps

We are pleased to say we have been offered 2 more places for VCSE reps. One for the Quality Performance and Finance Board and one for the People Board. These places will be funded until the end of the financial year.

ACTION – to send an email for Expressions of Interest to VSN members.

FEEDBACK– Miriam, Lynda and Keith were all present and fed back about the meetings they attended.

Miriam said that her committee had been looking at the wider impacts of the system ie planning permissions being given to fast food outlets near the school when childhood obesity is on the increase.

She was also pleased to hear that the impact on people who use a service, when late decisions on future funding happen was considered.

Action log

This was complete except for the sharing of slides from North Place from the last meeting. Debbie said she had been in contact with Abby and they would be with us soon for sharing.

AOB

Hunts Forum have AGM on 27th Nov CCVS has theirs on 28th Nov and PVCS on 14th.

Debbie reminded the group about the showcase event on 20th November

East West Railway Consultation – Closes 24th Jan

/by
The East West Railway (EWR) would connect communities between Oxford, Milton Keynes, Bedford and Cambridge, supporting sustainable economic growth in the area. The new railway would make it easier to reach jobs, education, public services and days out with family and friends. In our consultation, we are looking to get feedback on the early designs, including on areas where we’re considering options. We’ll take this feedback into account as we develop the designs in more detail and select preferred options. Your feedback will also be used to review potential opportunities and inform plans to mitigate the impacts of the project.
The consultation will run for 10 weeks, from 14 November 2024 to 24 January 2025, and EWR are committed to making sure that everyone can take part. They recognise that key stakeholders and community leaders like yourself have a deep knowledge of your communities and are best positioned to help them reach them, especially those who might not have heard about the project or have not taken part in a consultation before.
People can respond to the consultation by:
EWR would welcome your support in sharing information about thier consultation to help us ensure that everyone has the opportunity to have their say on EWR. Lots of information about thier proposals and details about upcoming consultation events is also available at– eastwestrail.co.uk/consultation2024. They encourage you to sign up for thier our newsletter for regular updates and share this with your community. In addition, if you or anyone else would prefer consultation material in a different format or language, please let us know by emailing contact@eastwestrail.co.uk or calling us on 0330 134 0067.

Coronavirus – Support Materials

/by

Our round-up of resources for community and voluntary organisations

Advice for Community Groups

Community and voluntary organisations are on the front line supporting our local communities. COVID-19 is presenting big challenges, but also opportunities to step up and support these communities.

Hunt Forum has created a range of support materials that can be found here.  Some of this information is also available below as fact-sheets available to download in Microsoft Word format.

Factsheet 1 Financial-Losses-to-Charities

Factsheet 2 Use of volunteers

Factsheet 3 Community response

Factsheet 4 Checklist for volunteer groups

Factsheet 5 Information for those looking to volunteer during Covid-19

Factsheet 6 Example of a volunteer agreement

Factsheet 7 DBS

Factsheet 8 Lone working policy example

Factsheet 9 GDPR

Factsheet 10 Safeguarding and Example Policy

Factsheet 11 Telephone procedures

Factsheet 12 Volunteer guidelines for shopping and picking up prescriptions

Factsheet-13-Finance-information (updated 8 April 2020)

Factsheet 14 Finance systems and home working

Factsheet 16 Letter to prove volunteer activity

Factsheet 18 Volunteer Mental Health and Wellbeing

 

Support Cambridgeshire has created a range of videos to support individuals and groups to keep safe in this difficult time.

Safeguarding Advice

What to think about when using volunteers

Telephone Befriending Advice

Top Tips for Volunteers

Please share the videos throughout your communities.

Where to Find Funding

Funding is always an issue for community and voluntary organisations, and particularly at this time when demand may be higher than ever and some forms of funding have dried up.

Click here for Support Cambridgeshire’s round up of funding sources relating to Coronavirus, including government support, charitable funding for organisations facing financial challenges, plus funds for organisations on the front-line supporting communities through the pandemic.

 

Coronavirus – Where to Find Information

/by

Resources from the Support Cambridgeshire Partners

The Hunts Forum Coronavirus Portal includes information and resources for organisations responding to the virus outbreak or struggling financially and operationally as a result of it, plus an archive of weekly updates.

CCVS‘s Covid-19 pages include advice for new community groups responding to the crisis, ways that volunteers can help, updates from other key organstions and information about business continuity planning.

Check out Cambridgeshire ACRE‘s blogs for Community Buildings and for Town and Parish Councils for the latest information and resources.

Countywide Coordination Hub

The Cambridgeshire Coordination Hub was launched to help those people in our communities who are at the highest risk and shielded during the Coronavirus outbreak. The hub will help ensure that services provided by key workers, such as care for the elderly, are able to continue through the redeployment of staff and the deployment of volunteers. It also co-ordinates the distribution of support to the most vulnerable shielded group, whether it is food, medicine or social aspects. In addition, it works closely with the district/city hubs to ensure all vulnerable people are supported.

Find out more about our Coordination Hub on the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough websites or call 0345 045 5219 (Mon-Fri 8am-6pm, Sat 9am-1pm).

Districts

Each district within Cambridgeshire has its own hotline or website to support residents.

East Cambridgeshire – email covid19@eastcambs.gov.uk or call 01353 665555 (Mon-Fri 9am-4pm)
South Cambridgeshire – www.scambs.gov.uk/coronavirus
Cambridge City – www.cambridge.gov.uk/coronavirus-community-group-contact-details
Fenland – www.fenland.gov.uk/coronavirus
Huntingdonshire – www.wearehuntingdonshire.org

Useful Links for Community Organisations

There’s a huge amount of information out there to help community groups meet the challenges of the Covid-19 outbreak. Here are a few websites that we hope you’ll find useful.

NCVO – a wide range of resources covering keeping people safe, contingency planning, involving volunteers and risk management

NAVCA – key news relevant to the sector from the National Association for Voluntary and Community Action

Charity Commission – useful advice to ensure that registered charities act safely and lawfully during the crisis

www.gov.uk/coronavirus – the best source for the latest official government guidance

Charity Bank – advice on funding, government support, business and legal support

Help us improve our website