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Capacity Building

A 21st Century Voluntary & Community Sector for Yorkshire and the Humber

Author: Gary Craig, University of Hull | Published: January 2005 | 428.51KB

This research report surveys income and activity across voluntary and community sector (VCS) organisations in Yorkshire and the Humber. Professor Gary Craig calls for the region and the VCS to take a longer term view of the web of voluntary activity and the ways in which it is supported.

The research demonstrates the increasingly important role the VCS plays in helping deliver services ranging from meals on wheels to school support.

It also clearly shows how the VCS adds additional economic value as well as social and community benefits. The VCS has achieved what it has almost invisibly and the report calls for the region to work with the VCS to engage in an open dialogue that defines its role.

A Fair Deal - Creating an environment for a thriving third sector in the East of England 2009/2014

Author: COVER | Published: September 2009 | 544.51KB

The East of England public sector is underfunded and, as a consequence, the third sector in the East of
England is underfunded in comparison with other English regions. Central government funds, national
lottery funds and trust funds all direct money away from the region to areas perceived nationally to be of
greater need.

The primary purpose of this document is to highlight the main development issues facing the third sector
in the East of England over the next decade in terms of creating a thriving sector.

A Needs Analysis of the Voluntary and Community Sector in Rotherham 2007

Author: Dr Steve Webster, Teresa Tinklin, Dr Rob Macmillan | Published: June 2008 | 630.16KB

This study carried out a needs analysis of the voluntary and community sector (VCS) in Rotherham in 2007. In tackling the issue of ?needs? the approach taken by the research was to focus on the needs for external help or support. Part of the remit was to explore how
existing support services might be further developed or enhanced to meet these needs. The core of the study involved a survey of the needs of voluntary and community
organisations (VCOs), which was complemented by a series of focus groups and follow-up interviews.

A Picture of Performance

Author: Alison Crouch | Published: July 2005 | 62.18KB

This report provides an insight into the development of Community Empowerment Network (CEN) activities in the Yorkshire and Humber region.

There are clearly positive advancements being made by CENs and this report captures many of them, particularly those around representation, inclusivity, influence and how CENs are working together with LSPs.

Agenda for Change: VCS Provision in the region

Author: Regional Forum and David Harbourne | Published: September 2006 | 26.96KB

This paper gives detailed examples of voluntary and community sector provision of Learning and Skills in the region

Agenda for Change: Voluntary Sector Contribution, Capacity and Potential

Author: Regional Forum and David Harbourne | Published: September 2006 | 124.56KB

This paper was commissioned by the LSC and explores each theme of Agenda for Change in turn, and sets out recommendations both for the VCS and the LSC in Yorkshire and Humberside. It has been written through the active collaboration of the VCS
Regional Learning and Skills Group members ? led by the Regional Forum with valuable input from David Harbourne (formerly Executive Director of LSC North Yorkshire).

Benchmarks of success for contracting third sector suppliers

Author: SCEDU | Published: March 2008 | 963.48KB

What do contracting third sector organisations look like?

How can your organisation learn from this to help you become ready for contracting?

13 benchmarks of success show you the benchmark of successful contracting third sector organisations.

** This document was developed drawing on extensive research in the voluntary and community sector to produce a series of practicle benchmarks to guide organisations through the contracting process. **

Building the Foundations

Author: Regional Forum | Published: June 2005 | 150.01KB

This report was commissioned by the Learning and Skills Council West Yorkshire to uncover the current barriers for Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) groups to deliver learning and skills projects. The report recommendations are aimed at developing the ability of the BME sector to deliver more learning related activities.

Changing Funding Programmes

Author: Prof John Shutt and Felix Kumi-Ampofo | Published: October 2005 | 784.42KB

This research quantifies the potential impact of the loss of funding to the voluntary and community sector post 2006. The report demonstrates how important the voluntary sector is to improving the region's quality of life and shows that the sector faces big challenges in the future.

Collaborative Accounting 2006 - 2014

Author: Peg Alexander | Published: February 2006 | 228.48KB

This document outlines a strategy and action plan to assist community accounting and community payroll schemes in Yorkshire and the Humber to collaborate. It has been produced by an informal coalition of community accounting and community payroll schemes in the region.

The report describes how the strategy will be delivered through the following activities:

Reviewing how to share information and resources.

Marketing and market research.

Developing paid time for collaboration.

Joint work around costings and charges.

Training for Community Accounting staff/Payroll staff.

Collaboration around delivery of training to customer groups.

Contracting, procurement and social enterprise.

Community Development Work and Learning research project ? Yorkshire and Humber

Author: Dr Val Harris and Nicky Gelder | Published: July 2006 | 535.8KB

This piece of work was designed and undertaken it was felt it was important to obtain a clear map about the situation for community development within the Yorkshire and Humber Region. The Regional Advisory Group on Community Development and the England Standards Board were concerned about the quality of training and qualifications being delivered under the umbrella of community development and whether it was equipping people effectively to undertake community development work.

Evaluation Report for the Social Accounting and Audit Pilot Project 2003-2004

Author: Teressa Butler | Published: December 2004 | 283.81KB

In March 2003 the Yorkshire and Humber Regional Forum secured funding from Government Office for Yorkshire and Humber to run a pilot project to encourage organisations in the voluntary and community sector to undertake social auditing.

The Regional Forum's aim was to raise awareness of social auditing within the voluntary and community sector, to encourage the sector to measure and demonstrate social impact, and to support a handful of organisations through the process to act as role models to encourage others to do likewise and so build a network of experienced practitioners in the region.

Heartland Territory

Author: Linda Joy Mitchell and Helen Bush | Published: June 2005 | 253.42KB

Heartland territory is how one voluntary and community organisation decribed the involvement of the sector in all those quality of life, anti-poverty strategies and inclusion projects that are known as public health.

The Regional Forum has been working to find out what the sector needs to boost its engagement in the public health agenda. A small grant from the Regional Public Health Group (in Government Office) and the Health Development Agency provided initial resources to commission a study.

Humber FoLDA ICT Report

Author: Chris Smith | Published: March 2006 | 255.07KB

This report examines the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) position of the principal members of FoLDA. FoLDA is made up of voluntary sector infrastructure organisations based in East Yorkshire and the Humber which support and develop local voluntary sector organisations.

Overall, the report covers:
? A summary of the state of ICT within the FoLDA membership with the proposed standards and baselines.
? Recommendations on network solutions and communications.
? Reports on:
* database options,
* social enterprise options
? Discussion and Identification of funding options.

The report gives a comprehensive picture of the use and impact of ICT within FoLDA's membership. In general, the state of ICT within the FoLDA network is good. It is not however as a rule, integrated into the business and strategic functions of the individual organisations. This report would be of interest to voluntary sector organisations undertaking a review of their ICT systems and development or looking to develop ICT based partnerships.

Mapping the Contribution of the Voluntary and Community Sector in Yorkshire and the Humber

Author: The Regional Forum, Graha,m Lewis | Published: May 2001 | 214.26KB

The Regional Forum's research providing regional level data on the sector's contribution, focusing on number of organisations, employment, volunteering, and contribution to regional economy.

Mosaic, Jigsaw or Abstract Summary Report

Author: Northern Rock Third Sector Trends | Published: June 2009 | 107.08KB

Mosaic, jigsaw or abstract: getting a big picture perspective on the third sector in North East England and Cumbria – discussion summary

Mosaic, Jigsaw or Abstract?

Author: Northern Rock Third Sector Trends Study | Published: June 2009 | 333.22KB

Northern Rock Foundation’s investment in the study of the third sector in North East England and Cumbria is intended to have a significant impact on the way the third sector is perceived by itself and by its associated stakeholders. It is also hoped that it will influence how the sector itself operates.

Most importantly, the research should help to ensure that future third sector activity better meets the needs of beneficiaries and helps to secure more positive outcomes for them.

Positively Perceived

Author: Peg Alexander | Published: July 2005 | 126.78KB

So what do Local Strategic Partnerships really think of the voluntary and community sector? The Regional Forum asked them and the response was Positive! "Positively Perceived" is a report commissioned by the Regional Forum that uncovers how LSPs view the involvement of the voluntary and community sector.

Powerful Connections

Author: Linda Joy Mitchell and Helen Bush | Published: September 2004 | 206.45KB

This report presents key findings from the Powerful Connections research into how public agencies connect with the voluntary and community sector to influence policy and strategy.

Project Evaluation - People Plus

Author: The College of Chinese Physical Culture | Published: March 2003 | 179.68KB

The People Plus Project used an innovative and challenging programme of holistic exercise. It developed the
learning potential, health, fitness and life skills of people through a balanced mix of fun and training, which incorporates movement, dance and gymnastic-based exercises.

The Project commenced on the 1st June 2002 and ended on the 2nd April 2003. It consisted of eleven classes. These classes, facilitated by well-qualified tutors of the College of Chinese Physical Culture (CPC), are held onsite
in a number of businesses in York and North Yorkshire.

Regional Learning and Skills Group: Looking to the Future

Author: David Harbourne | Published: October 2006 | 126.33KB

The Government collectively places a high value on the work of the Voluntary and Community Sector. However, individual Government Departments and agencies have to focus on delivering highly-defined targets and are often unable to give much attention to developing their work with the VCS. It is therefore essential for the sector to develop its own strategy for engaging with the public sector.

Report of the Support Needs Audit

Author: Shirley Macredie | Published: March 2007 | 482.68KB

Through the Regional Forum, a grant was secured with Capacitybuilders to audit the support needs for LGB groups and
organisations in the Yorkshire and Humber region. This was the first time that an audit specifically for LGB communities had been undertaken.

Sub-Sectoral Research - Yorkshire and the Humber

Author: Yorkshire and the Humber Regional Forum in BME VCS Regional Panel | Published: 2007 | 119.85KB

This study builds on existing knowledge within the voluntary and community sector in Yorkshire and the Humber by identifying the main VCS sub sectors that exist in the region and the extent to which their support needs are being met through existing generic and specialist infrastructure. It will also identify any links to ChangeUp/Capacitybuilders activity. The regional VCS networks in all
9 English regions are undertaking the same research.

Support Needs Audit of LGB Groups in Bradford & District

Author: Rachel Nauwelaerts/Equity Partnership | Published: April 2007 | 335.31KB

A report of the support needs of LGB groups in Bradford

Survey of VCS Representatives on NE Regional Networks

Author: VONNE | Published: July 2009 | 531.89KB

The aim of the research was to identify the support needs of VCS representatives of regional networks and how to make networks more lively and effective.

The development needs of refugee communities in Leeds, Bradford & South Yorkshire

Author: Dr Archana Choksi with Marzieh Berenjin, Hlabera Chirwa and Dorine Nakuti | Published: July 2008 | 765.4KB

Refugee Community Organisations (RCOs) are seen as an essential agency for refugee integration. They act as a vital bridge between the refugee community and host society. They adopt a wide range of roles that include acting as intermediary, interpreter, educator, campaigner, negotiator,representative and advocate for refugee individuals or whole communities (Home Office 2005; Refugee Council and Refugee Action 2007).

This research set out to generate information about the current roles played by RCOs in the region, to
understand their current capacity in relation to meeting the demands placed
upon them and investigate their understandings, expectations and roles as the sector becomes more professionalised in its approach to policy influencinghow in the Yorkshire and Humber region, (Y&H).

Voluntary Action Rotherham's Annual Survey 2007

Author: Chris Dayson | Published: August 2008 | 496.3KB

Research evaluating the impact of Voluntary Action Rotherham's work during 2007 compared to 2006.