Annual Report Strategic Partnership Work

Colchester Community Voluntary Services

“Thriving Local Communities”

March 2014 March

- Development Support Liaison Representation Annual Annual Report Strategic Partnership Work

1 April 2013 2013 April Page

Vision and Mission Statement 3

Chairman’s Report 4 - 5

Acknowledgements 6

CEO’s Report 7 - 9

Community Development Project Report 10 - 12

Business Bank 13

Community Accounts Service Report 14 - 15

Volunteer Centre and time Bank Report 16- 20

Transport & Shopmobility Report 21 - 23

Highlights and Overview of the Year 24 - 25

Treasurer’s Report 26 - 28

President, Vice Presidents and Trustees 29

Staff 30

Volunteers 31

Membership 32 - 34

Looking to the Future 35

“Thriving local communities”

CCVS will enable affective communities and voluntary action by empowering and inspiring our local society through our five core values – Support, Development, Liaison, Representation and Strategic Partnership Working.

3 Chairman’s Report

This will be my seventh Report of the Board of Trustees to our membership and sponsors.

Once again I would like to thank my Board of Trustees for their continued help and support, and the dedicated staff who support the direction offered by Board members. I would also like to offer a large “thank you” to our volunteers, and our Funders (both large and small), for their support, without which we would not exist.

To my knowledge, CCVS has been working as the voice of the voluntary sector for the past forty-six years. The need for our assistance is much greater now than ever before, with the changes in the amount and distribution of increasingly limited funding. This can be easily demonstrated by the number of requests we receive on a daily basis.

Since my last report there have been a number of changes to the Board of Trustees, with Kim Inglis, Stephen Beresky and Brian Jarvis having left us, and Cate Hammett having joined us.

There is no doubt that CCVS is in a period of growth, and because of the lack of space within Winsley’s House, the Trustees have agreed to improve the disability access to the building and to provide the organisation with more space. This work is on-going at the time of preparation of this Report.

I can report that all areas of work within CCVS are thriving and growing rapidly. In this connection you will read in the Reports contained within the Annual Report, of the great success of the organisation, and the very close working relationship which we now have with Colchester Borough Council, Essex County Council and the Clinical Commissioning Group.

Since our last AGM we have held a Planning Day for Trustees and staff which was very productive.

Both the vision and mission statements have been updated and a new annual appraisal system has been introduced within CCVS.

Last November CCVS hosted a very successful event at Weston Homes Community Stadium for the Essex Crime Commissioner, which we have been asked to repeat in 2014.

I am also able to report the merger of Colchester and Maldon Transport Schemes, which will benefit the service users in our part of the county.

As for the future, we will continue to work closely with the local and County Councils and the Clinical Commissioning Group wherever possible, to deliver benefits to the community at large.

We will also continue to look at the needs of the Charities with whom we work, and to look at new and exciting ways of helping all areas of the local community and the public at large.

Additionally we will be looking to work with partners from the commercial sector, whose expertise will benefit our members through our Business Bank.

David T Evans Chairman Board of Trustees

5 Acknowledgements

6 CEO’s Report

The focus of my year has been about developing more joined up partnerships and collaborations that are galvanised and “ready to go”. The need for the VCO to be less reactive and far more proactive is ever evident, with reduced income through a lack of funding sources and more impact and evidence based cashable benefits to the public purse required.

As I reflect back on the year and the achievements of this dedicated team, I feel a sense of apprehension for the challenges Colchester VCO’s will be faced with over the next 2 years (but heads up there are always opportunities to squirrel out). It has been - without doubt - the most challenging year since taking over this role on many levels, but my passion and enthusiasm to support strong voluntary action doesn’t wain - although a sound business head is now needed - not just a large, passionate heart.

The expectations for representation as your voice have increased (see diagram), and trying to join up the dots in a seamless and less duplicated way, to keep everyone in the loop and informed has yet to be cracked, but we will continue to represent your views, challenge where appropriate and encourage you to be at the most influential tables. We will continue to ensure that local people, voluntary organisations, statutory services and businesses are brought together to identify specific issues in our locality, and solutions are truly co-designed and co-produced by our citizens.

That said, the impact and achievements that this organisation has been part of, not only in Colchester but across Essex are demonstrated within the body of this report. The overall team has increased by a third, and the volunteers recruited have increased by 200%.

The organisation that you see before you and in the future has and will continue to have a:

Strong team ethos Progressive staff/volunteers and groups equipped and trained Innovative and can step change and respond quickly – lean and fleet of foot Respected – we can and do deliver Increased knowledge and empowered communities built through our capacity support Targets are always met

Of which I am proud to lead.

I am also pleased to present the organisations workforce development strategy, which contains some key actions for 2014/15. We intend to develop the leadership skills of the local sector, in particular Trustees and Managers.

Our membership has grown by a further 20%, and our emphasis again this year has been to lobby our Public Agency partners to continue with grant funding. This agenda is so very important for prototyping new and innovative ideas and must continue, so as to sustain the small grass root groups, which are so very effective at supporting the

7 most vulnerable hardest to reach people. All three of our partners including the Colchester Borough Council, North East Essex Clinical Commissioning Group and Essex County Council have listened and continue to provide this support to the VCO’s, we thank them.

What can you expect from us in the future……. As part of our strategic direction, and to further develop our role as a co-ordinating body for the voluntary sector, we intend to release our 3 year plan in October 2014. It will include these 4 high level priorities

1. Strengthen the Core Mission 2. Facilitate Effective Partnerships 3. Maximise Valuable Assets 4. Develop Coordinated Communications

Most of this work has started to take place, with member groups being involved at all levels. Detailed below is a brief idea of what I have been up to as your representative voice, but as you can imagine, this list is too vast to fully detail. From 1st October, I will be providing a monthly blog on our website and in the newsflash to keep you better informed of my activities.

Promote Colchester Strategic Partnership (formerly 20/20) This group is made up of Chief Officers across the Borough, and has now met twice, set some priorities moving forward from their planning morning, and has elected its Chair, which just happens to be myself. There is much interest in the work that we will be doing over the coming months, and is an opportunity to reduce duplication of strategic meetings, which is one of our first priorities to tackle.

Public Sector and VCO Framework On behalf of Essex Association of CVS’s, I have been able to influence and help colleagues shape this document for the benefit of the voluntary and community sector.

Essex Compact Steering Group I was asked to speak at their AGM, and was able to alert Commissioners to some of the challenges that our member groups have and will be facing. The need for consistent transparent processes at all levels and discussions at the earliest stages of the commissioning cycle is paramount.

As we move forward, the whole team are very clear that our capacity building work will emphasise the resilience and sustainability of organisations – developing consortia and brokerage as a central part of our work will continue to open new channels of funding sources, but also supporting groups to explore alternative mechanisms of maximising their own income growth. We will continue to act as a conduit for commissioning and procurement, and ensure that our local VCO’s are well prepared for the opportunities that will inevitably come our way.

Thank you one and all, it just leaves me to say, we are stronger, resilient, dynamic and forgive the pun…….

8 Community Initiative Funding Panel NEE Children Partnership

Strengthening Comms Older People Forum VC Essex

VCO Framework ECC Early Intervention Reference Group

Funding Panel for Big Society Patient and Participation Groups

Local Engagement Forum Voluntary Sector Training

Essex Transport Scheme Compact Champion Steering Group

Welfare Rights Forum WECB Community Builders

University of Essex Whole Essex Community Budgets Better Care Fund

Colchester Works Virtual Ward CCVS Representation Time Bank Conference Crucial Crew

Children’s Partnership ACE Community Forum Safer Essex

Police and Crime Commissioner Conference for Voluntary Sector Essex Timebank

Active Colchester Essex Compact Steering Group Essex Commissioning Champion

Essential Living Fund CCG Quality Workshops Older People Crucial Crew

Essex Association of CVS’s Colchester Delivers and Complex Needs work

Family Solutions RAG Safer Colchester Healthwatch

Experience-led Commissioning High Street Closure monitoring Group

Funding Panel for Family Innovation Fund Colchester Youth Strategy Group

Clinical Commissioning Group System Leadership Essex Alliance

Health Forum Committee Voluntary Sector Commissioning Framework

CBC Cabinet Review Panels for localism and rural services Essex Connects

Clinical Commissioning Group Transformation and Delivery Committee

9 Community Development Project Report

Throughout 2013-14, the comprehensive services that CDP offer have continued to have positive outcomes. Our core functions, activities and events have increasingly enabled alliances which have collectively contributed to:

More than £750,000 being raised for voluntary and community sector projects More than 100 people receiving training on a variety of topics, including governance, fundraising, Essex Insight, First Aid and Food Safety Advice and assistance to 229 known groups and 52 new groups Helping more than 100 people and issuing more 1000 pieces of clothing and bedding as part of the newly formed Community Resilience Group Supporting 25 strategic and operational networks to maximise assets and address need

Membership and Community Action “The standard of work At our heart, CDP exists to facilitate the ‘thriving local was excellent, I couldn’t communities’ of CCVS’s vision statement. We do this by have done it without working alongside the many effective voluntary CDP’s continuous help organisations operating in Colchester and Essex. We and support” have helped groups by identifying funding, reviewing and completing applications. We increase sustainability by looking at legal structures and helping local leaders to establish groups, to plan for the future and identify resilient operating models. We increase skills by linking people to resources, sharing knowledge, organising courses and much more besides. This is often completed in conjunction with colleagues from our Community Accounts Service and Volunteer Centre, as well as external agencies, such as Voluntary Sector Training. We have worked with more groups, on a wider range of topics than ever before and continue to recognise that this is an honour. One that we don’t ever want to take for granted because it puts us in a position to see how much community members want to improve the quality of life within the Borough of Colchester and how important the voluntary sector is to the environment within which we live. Case Study

Only Cowards Carry formed in late 2012 to campaign for the introduction of weapons awareness training on the national curriculum, to deliver weapons awareness training to secondary and primary school children and to promote community safety in Essex. They have accessed a cross section of CDP support throughout 2013-14. When they first made contact they had yet to secure insurance, adopt specific policies, apply for funding or network widely in the local area.

10 The project team conducted an initial health-check and identified the need for robust safeguarding policies and insurance (offering templates and guidance), as well as establishing a holding account for funds whilst the group registered for their own account. Fundraising was the next priority as the group quickly grew, CDP identified funders, worked with OCC to complete their first applications and submit them with all relevant enclosures. As a result, OCC has generated more than £13,000 in grants alone.

Caroline Shearer, founder and director of Only Cowards Carry, has described the support they have received as,

‘Excellent [we] couldn’t have done it without their continuous help and support... nothing is too much and we so appreciate their time and effort to [help us get to] where we are now’

CDP continue to work with OCC through their charity registration, to provide training to the Board and develop a sustainable fundraising strategy.

Voluntary Sector Partnerships A highlight of the last year has been working alongside the organisations within the Colchester Advice Network (C.A.N.). Funded through BIG Lottery as a part of the Advice Services Transition Fund, C.A.N. demonstrates what is achievable through a true working partnership. Referrals are being made between agencies, a new online portal (http://www.colchesteradvicenetwork.org.uk/) is accessible to members of the public and information assistants are being trained within each partner, sharing working practices. The Citizen’s Advice Bureau leads this project well. We have enjoyed contributing to it and look forward to doing so over the next year because it is our intention to continue to facilitate work of this kind in the future. We can see the benefits the work brings to the sector. As shown through the impact of the Community Resilience Group formed in January 2014 in order to address grassroots issues and including a core of voluntary and public sector partners. It is for this reason that we want to hear from organisations who see the potential for working partnerships, be they to address immediate need like the Community Resilience Group or longer term system change like C.A.N.

Public Sector Partnerships System change is also a consideration for our public sector colleagues and this has brought us into new working relationships. Two CDP staff members have been seconded into the Strengthening Communities work stream within the Public Service Reform Unit. They have been contributing to the development of countywide volunteering projects which have been funded to increase community resilience and cohesion. This has been a learning process which is informing us all

11 in the process of building stronger voluntary and statutory relationships.

We have contributed to community consultations, such as the BIG Care Debate and have been trained alongside NHS colleagues to facilitate focus groups which have increased understanding of community need in relation to care, and the Voluntary and Community Sector Commissioning Strategy, collating member’s responses and feeding into strategic meetings.

We have also formed part of multi-agency teams as in the development of the ‘Crime and Community Safety: One Year On’ event in November 2013. Organised collaboratively between Essex Association of CVS’s, Safer Essex and the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner, the interactive conference fed into the Police and Crime Plan, created networks and enabled people to explore different ideas – i.e. beer googles tests and the experience of handling a guide dog. Case Study

Family Solutions Team Induction

In September 2013, CCVS hosted the newly-formed Family Solutions team for an induction to the voluntary and community sector. Family Solutions is an Essex County Council programme aimed at helping families with multiple needs. Staff were given the chance to meet CVS project members, how to access to a local helpline and online database (http://essexconnects.org.uk), as well as contact details for more than 15 groups whose focus was upon enabling and empowering families. Attendees commented:

‘So grateful to be aware of these services, to put forward to assist the families that we are working with’

Since the session, the team has continued to remain in touch with CCVS and the voluntary sector. As a result, outcomes include:

 An appointment for a young person to learn a new skill with Time Bank  Contact made with Adult Community Learning to enable a mother to identify a college course  Development of a partnership with Family Solutions to form a new social project for isolated young people

Quite what 2014-15 will bring is yet to be determined but I have a suspicion that we won’t be working alone…

12 Business Bank Report

The Business Bank surpassed all expectations and is continuing to expand at a rapid rate, with a number of high profile companies getting involved to offer their unwavering support for local community groups.

As a result of their goodwill, many groups have received a boost to their resources, which has enabled them to improve services for people in need within Colchester.

Over the last year, CCVS’s Business Bank forged an exciting new partnership with Business In The Community, to take over the running of a special event which matches businesses together with charities.

Some of the organisations which have thrown their support recently behind the Business Bank include: Lloyds Bank, Waitrose, Sainsbury’s, Fisher Jones Greenwood, Enable East, Barclays, Colne Housing and Green Square Communications.

In fact, The Cabinet Office has recently looked closely at the CCVS model as an inspiration for replication elsewhere in the country.

Facts about the Business Bank:  Over 50 companies support the Business Bank  Over 50 community groups have requested support from The Business Bank  Over 50 exchanges have taken place since the Business Bank’s inception  Over £40,000 worth of exchanges have been recorded so far

Exchanges include:  Marketing support  SEO support  Business Advice  IT support.

Lian Meachen, Colchester’s most recent Business Connector from Business In The Community: “Businesses want to help their local communities to thrive and their ongoing support is crucial in these austere times. There are many businesses that want to help, but are not sure how to connect people to the who can complement their business goals, while helping the local community.” Case Study: Website company WDL created a new website, worth £3,500, for the Colchester League of Hospital and Community Friends - all for free. Elliot Smith, WDL’s Managing Director said: “I am a big supporter of this charity's work and I'm very impressed that it runs shops within the hospital, which raise money to purchase important equipment that save people's lives!” Emma Moulding, from the Colchester League of Hospital and Community Friends, said: “Our three main aims, as identified by WDL, were to increase volunteers, make it easier for people to donate to the charity, and to share our news. The simple but very effective design of the website has made it possible for us to achieve these aims.”

13 Community Accounts Service Report

In 2013/14 the Community Accounts Service increased significantly with fresh new faces joining the team, bringing the total of our team to 6. We have had new opportunities this year, including a contract with Essex County Council to assist with the delivery of the Essential Living Fund. With the Essential Living Fund we assisted in the distribution of 4,253 pieces of furniture which were distributed to 1,231 people in Essex. In April 2013 we were contacted by a Trustee of Essex Dementia Care asking if we could advise them on their finances. We now visit the first week of every month and complete their monthly book keeping, bank reconciliations, raise their sales invoices and produce management accounts for the Board of Trustees. The Community Accounts Team also attend Trustee meetings when required to discuss the finances with the board and the future growth going forward. The Group’s Director commented : “Since you have been working for Essex Dementia Care you have helped us to improve the way we run our accounts and invoicing. We were employing an office manager 20 hours a week and you have managed to do the same work one day a month. You have helped us to set up budgets and shown us that we can work in a much smarter way. This has cut our core costs and helped Essex Dementia Care to be more self sustaining. Thank you for all your hard work and encouragement since being a part of our team.”

We have met our target set Number of Groups using Services by the Thriving Third Sector 19 Training Fund to be working with 100 55 17 st Payroll Management groups across Essex by 31 Accounts / March 2014. This is a huge Secondment achievement for the team and we are proud of our success. 72 Independent Examinations

14 72 of our groups access our Independent Examination service which continues to be our most popular; this has grown from 61 last year. We targeted groups undertaking audits which were not necessary and have therefore saved groups considerable amounts of money that can now be used on their frontline service delivery. We have continued to maintain the same high standard as last year, receiving 96% on our Monitoring and Feedback surveys.

Whilst we continue to support groups with whom we have worked for many years, we have also had the pleasure of new groups requiring our services. It has been a pleasure working with all of our groups. We would like to take this opportunity to say “thank you” for all your support, and we look forward to working with you in the future.

One-to-One Support 2100

2050 One-to-One support with groups has

2000 been utilised to assist them with budget preparation, payroll issues to do with the 1950 RTI, year end accounts and general 1900 finance management. 1850 1800 2012/2013 2013/2014

CAS growth This has been a year of rapid growth and we would like to say “thank you” 120 to both our staff team and volunteers 100 in the CAS team who have assisted 80 us to achieve and grow so 60 significantly. 40 20 0

2012 2013 2014

Some of the groups we have worked with this year:

15 Volunteer Centre and Time Bank Report

This year has been a busy year for us and we have supported over 300 organisations and offered 275 volunteering opportunities. We have supported a diverse range of organisations, some very large national charities and some smaller local groups, and have referred volunteers to Essex County Fire & Rescue, Open Road, Barnado’s, The Invicta Foundation and British Red Cross, and we have placed two volunteers in our own Finance department here at CCVS.

Opportunities offered included stewarding and marshalling at events, being a trustee, working in charity shops, fundraising administration support, to practical volunteering roles such as conservation work with the National Trust, Essex Wildlife Trust and a local group The Conservation Volunteers. As CCVS we have promoted some exciting and innovative opportunities ourselves – Social Prescription Health Champions to support our work in surgeries, and Family Peer Mentors as part of the Family Solutions initiative. There are two ways in which people can find out about volunteering opportunities, either by applying on-line or by booking a guidance interview with us. Last year we facilitated 330 face-to-face guidance interviews and over 950 potential volunteers registered with us for volunteering roles. We had over 850 visitors through our door seeking volunteering support and assistance.

Cheryl Hall, The Invicta Foundation, says “For independent charities such as ourselves we depend greatly on volunteers and so are very grateful for all the assistance CCVS’s Volunteer Centre have given us over the last year”. Andrew Phillips Founder of The Colchester Recalled Oral History Group, says “ the Volunteer Centre has been absolutely vital in providing us volunteers so that we have been able to put into writing all the historical recordings we had on file . We have had a variety of volunteers and are delighted that we have been able to support a few of them to find employment”.

Support Provided by Volunteer Centre

Organisations supported

Volunteering opps

Guidance interviews

240 260 280 300 320 340

16 Colchester Time bank has seen a great deal of growth over the last year with 166 new members joining us, and 19 new organisations, we banked an amazing 18,748 hours! Our Time Bank responds to the needs of the local community and our members help and support each other with many tasks ranging from gardening, basic DIY, IT support, watering plants and running errands and providing befriending visits.

We have many requests for support and enjoy matching the unusual ones; last year we even found a new home for a budgerigar and had a request from a Time Bank beneficiary who needed his arrows collecting at his regular archery session!

Time to Garden & Time to Decorate People who are not members of Time Bank can still receive help and support from our Time to Garden and Time to Decorate schemes. Both schemes are run by a co-ordinator who is supported by volunteers and for a small donation people can have their lawns cut, weeding and pruning and basic painting jobs done. Last year over 100 people received help through these schemes.

Mrs H Time to Garden beneficiary and Transport member said: “I have no car and no family around so having the invaluable support from CCVS’s Transport and Time to Gardens schemes is a life line for me. They can always be relied on and having my garden maintained on a regular basis fills me with great joy. As I am no longer able to do this for myself and I would get distressed having to watch it deteriorate after so many years of planting and care I have given it”.

Our Time Bank Christmas meeting and party

Essex Timebank Roll Out Prior to September 2013, only two Time Banks were in operation in Essex - ours in Colchester and one in Tendring (with less than 40 members). Last year we supported partners in Uttlesford, Tendring, Epping, Harlow and Chelmsford to get established and build capacity.

17 Youth Time Bank Last year, thanks to some funding from the Youth Strategy Group, we established a Youth Time Bank for young people aged 16 – 25 yrs. Over 90 hours were banked by the young people who supported youth groups across the Borough. 12 young people attended a two-day Peer Mentor course as part of the Youth Time Bank and they told us they gained a great deal from the course.

“Although I have learned a greater understanding of

people, I have learned a lot about myself too”

A great partnership has been built this year with ourselves, Colchester Institute and the Youth Enquiry Service (YES), and a dozen young people have signed up with the Time Bank and they will be working on a garden project at YES.

Julie Clayton Work placement Co-ordinator said “Working in the Y.E.S garden has been a great opportunity for our students to get involved in a community project and learn some new skills. Already they have been able to see how much of a difference their hard work has made to the garden and they are taking a real pride in their work. It is a great chance to work outdoors in beautiful surroundings whilst developing really useful skills and knowledge. We hope that this project will continue to help them build on their team work and hopefully develop a new interest in gardening and conservation. We are very much looking forward to continuing with this project and really see our hard work rewarded with a beautiful garden.”

My Social Prescription My Social Prescription a phone and online service linking people of NE Essex to volunteers and voluntary and community groups was launched by us this year on behalf of NEE Clinical Commissioning Group (NEECCG). The scheme enables people to find valuable local services and receive support though local voluntary programmes. We have formed partnership links with several GP surgeries and health and wellbeing establishments to promote the scheme.

18 Through this scheme many people have been helped; one such gentleman, aged 70, who has had two heart attacks and a mini stroke, was unable to maintain his garden and house. He contacted us and we fixed a loose floorboard and replaced a light bulb on his landing preventing him from risk of a fall. If he had fallen he could have been admitted to hospital and needed long term care so our intervention has saved the NHS in the region of £2,360.

Administration support & fundraising 1,950 Arts & Crafts - such as drama, cooking,knitting,sewing 717 Assisting in charity shops 362 Attending Time Bank meetings 600 Driving & escorting 11,559 Donated credits 2,124 Friendship visits & calls 693 Gardening - Plant watering 504 Healthy living (sport & leisure) 64 IT support 61 Library visits 57 Practical help & DIY 26 Support with shopping 24 Youth support 163 Grand Total Hours banked 18,904

Number of Hours Banked

20,000

10,000

2012 - 2013 2013 - 2014

19 Family Mentor Volunteer Project

This exciting new project which forms part of the Government Troubled Families programme, works in conjunction with Essex Family Solutions, matching volunteers from Colchester and Tendring Districts, to families who are still in need of support after Family Solutions’ intervention has come to an end. Volunteers are matched to families according to the need of the individual family and the skills and experience of the volunteer.

The aim of the volunteer mentoring programme is to enable families to: a. Feel confident that they have sustained the outcomes achieved with Family Solutions b. Self-report that they are more resilient, have improved self-esteem and confidence c. Develop skills and confidence to follow routes into education, employment and/or training as appropriate. d. Feel more integrated within the community e.g. become volunteers, widen their social support networks

Since its launch in March 2014, we have recruited ten volunteers, seven who are already fully trained. Training includes, the role of a mentor, boundaries, active listening skills, lone working, data protection and confidentiality, Level 2 safeguarding for children and vulnerable adults. Volunteers receive regular monthly training on related topics and regular one-to-one supervision. All mentors are encouraged to join Time Bank, many choosing to donate their hours to their families so that they can access other forms of support once their contact with them has ended.

20 Transport and Shopmobility Report

2013/14 has been the most successful year ever. There was an increase in passenger journeys of 10,418 compared to the previous year, giving us a grand total of 57,229 passenger journeys. This was a 22% increase on 2012/13 which also showed an increase of 33% on the previous year. “It helps my father access clubs and outings that would otherwise be impossible for him, it is a valuable lifeline in his maintaining his own independence. - Daughter of Mr John Walkinshaw CT Member

I enjoy the conversations with my drivers they always make me feel safe, the social interaction with them gives me more confidence, - CT Member

Excursions have continued to grow from strength to strength, with the weekly trips continuing the trend of visiting places for lunch on a Thursday. The trips are ideal for CT members to meet new people and to have an enjoyable day out. In 2013/14 the excursion trips visited 43 venues, which generated 1242 passenger journeys. The trips are designed to make it easily accessible for all members to be able to take advantage of, with a door-to-door service, in an accessible vehicle.

“I come on the weekly excursions for

friendship and an enjoyable day out,

without the trips I could go three weeks without seeing anybody - Joy

Wheat CT Member.”

In March 2014 Transport and Shopmobility held an Open Afternoon which was combined with the launch of the new 16 seater accessible mini bus. Around 40 members of the scheme and partnership groups attended the event which, saw the mini bus unveiled by Mary Creagh (Shadow Secretary for Transport).

21 Number of Journey ANALYSIS OF TRANSPORT JOURNEYS

Social Cars 27% Partnership 60000 Work 50000 43% 40000 30000 20000

10000 Mini Bus 0 21% 2011/2012 2012/2013 2013/2014 Predicted Chariots Hire Excursions 2014/2015 7% 2% Shopmobility continues to benefit from the St Runwald Street premises, based just behind the Town Hall. In 2013/14 there were 2,385 scooter and wheelchair hires. The fold-away Paris scooters have been more utilised during 2013/14 with members hiring these two scooters to go to such places as Germany, France and many places in the UK. These two scooters can be hired for up to two weeks and are able to fit in the boot of most vehicles. This helps to enable members to be able to go on holiday with their family members. “Since becoming unwell, Shop Mobility has given me back my independence. By being able to hire a scooter I am able access the local town and meet up with friends and family. Also the hiring of a wheelchair is great it allows me to go further afield for great days out. Shop Mobility has become an essential part of my life and at present I could not do without this service .” - Mr Francisco Asensio Shopmobility Member

In December 2013 The East of England Easier Living Mobility Co-op kindly donated two Pride mobility scooters to Shopmobility. These scooters soon became popular with Shopmobility members, as they offer a much smoother ride than some of the older scooters. These two scooters can be hired in the same way as all the other scooters at Shopmobility.

During 2013/14 Viking Community Transport provided 26,294 passenger journeys. There was an increase of 2655 passenger journeys compared with 2012/13. representing an 11% increase on 2012/13.

Viking Transport Total Trips

27000 26000 25000 24000 23000 22000 21000 2011/2012 2012/2013 2013/2014 Predicted 2014/2015 “Viking enables us to go out together as a group. This helps the residents who live alone to join in and socialise. A1 service - All of the employees and volunteers at Viking are polite and helpful and give a fantastic service” - Wantz Haven Residents Group

“ It would not be possible for many of our clients to attend the day centre without this service. Viking is crucial to the services that we provide at the day centre “ - Action For Family Careers

Minibus hire or as it is also known group hire continues to be extremely popular in Maldon. 21,035 of the annual passenger journeys completed by Maldon were group hire, this equates to 80% of all journeys undertaken by Viking Community Transport

“As I am a wheelchair user and unable to transfer from chair to other, I would not be able to go anywhere outside my village without Viking “ Mrs Pauline Bowen

28% of Viking Community Transport’s social car journeys are healthcare related, with the majority attending GP Surgeries and the local St Peter’s Hospital. Recent changes in operation of hospital transport has led to an increase in enquiries for this service.

23 Highlights and Overview of the Year

Awarded £20,000 for a Youth Time Bank CCVS Planning Day scheme by Colchester Borough Council Youth Strategy Fund

CCVS launched their video show casing the Viking Community Transport (Maldon services which are on offer and the benefits District Community Transport) and to the community Colchester Community Transport Scheme merge

CCVS Christmas Raffle raised £700 and Colchester Community Transport and the the draw was combined with a Time Bank SOS bus receive a donation from CAMRA Christmas Party

11 people took part in Essex Insight Training In partnership with NAVCA, CCVS release a Mapping Report in respect of the Voluntary AGM and Volunteers’ Celebration Sector in Colchester

Foxburrow Grange Official Opening

CCVS invited as a Community Connector to “Big Connect” with Prince Charles.

40 people attend biggest Fundraisers’ Network Volunteer Centre took 10 volunteers along to Group Meeting of 2013 the Paul O’Grady show

CDP acted as EACVS representative to Community Transport official showcase voluntary sector at Transforming reveal of the new minibus to Rehabilitation provider event join the fleet, with special guest Shadow Secretary of State for Transport, Mary Creagh

A partnership of voluntary services and Essex Fire Authority set up a pop up shop to provide basic resources and information to those who needed it.

25 Treasurer Report

The full Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31st March 2014 are available upon request from CCVS. These Financial Statements show the consolidated position of Colchester Community Voluntary Services, together with the projects which it runs and manages.

Colchester Community Voluntary Services (“CCVS”) receives its core income by way of grants from Essex County Council (Adult and Community Care), Colchester Borough Council and Essex County Council Public Health). Currently, Service Level Agreements expire March 2015

 CCVS also generates income from various ancillary services provided to the voluntary community, and the rental of rooms in Winsley’s House.

 CCVS has also received various other grants, including funding for Neighbourhood training, Essential Living Fund, Long Term Health Conditions, Colchester Borough Council Life Programme and the Winter Warmth programme.

 In addition, income has been received in respect of secondments and other partnership work undertaken.

 Our Community Accounts Service still continues to grow, supported by the Essex Community Foundation, Thriving Third Sector funding (£58,000 over 3 years from April 2011).

 CCVS resources, including staff, are shared by our projects and these are fully costed and charged out to the relevant cost headings within the projects.

 Donations have also been received, including, from the Waitrose Charity box. Transport (Colchester) and Shopmobility continue to operate as a joint project. Essex County Council Public Transport and Public Health continue to fund this project, reviewed on an annual basis.

 Essex County Council provided £45,000 towards the purchase of a new minibus and database system, plus an additional £19,000 from their Communities Initiative Fund towards the purchase of a further minibus.

 The project also receives income from transport fares, membership, Chariots (for managing their booking line), Shopmobility membership fees and equipment hire and fundraising/donations.

 A donation of £600 was received from CAMRA and Scooters to the value of £2,500 from Co-operative Society. Transport (Maldon) is currently reported as a separate project and is funded by an Essex County Council Public Transport grant and Maldon District Council, and reviewed on an annual basis.

 Essex County Council provided £20,000 from their Communities Initiative Fund towards the purchase of a further minibus.

26 Volunteer Centre, incorporating the Time Bank project, has received the second and final year of funding through the Department of Health and Social Care Volunteering Fund.

 Essex County Council has provided £50,000 towards the Essex Time Bank roll out pilot and £20,000 from the Youth Strategy Fund to support the Youth Time Bank.

 Health & Social Care Volunteering Fund provided £40,000 (over 2 years 2012- 2014) to support Time Bank.

 Essex County Council also gave the Volunteer Centre a grant of £3,261.

 £924 was received for Essex Community Foundation, £1,250 from Colchester Youth Strategy Group to provide Life Enhancing Activity Programme (LEAP) for youth mentors.

 Additional funding was received in respect of strategic work and from fundraising. CCVS also administered the funds on behalf of CAMRA, The April Centre, Philip Road, Ampersand and the A list Support Group. Effectiveness of fundraising Due to the nature of our funding, we look to use our finances as efficiently and economically as possible to ensure that we are effective in achieving our aims and objectives. CCVS and the projects work to detailed budgets, which are closely reviewed and monitored by the Treasurer, Finance & General Purpose Committee and Board of Directors, on a regular basis. For the year to 31 March 2014, CCVS and its projects had a surplus net income for the year of £278,733 (2013: £4,237). This includes a £224,432 in respect of the merger with Maldon, giving an underlying net income of £54,301. This was better than our original budget due to both higher than expected income, as well as closely managed overheads. CCVS and Winsley's House (Unrestricted Funds) finished the year with a net surplus of £41,913 (2013: £34,860), this was higher than budgeted as a result of increased income (including Community Accounts), lower staff costs, with more part-timers and lower premises costs in Winsley's House pending the refurbishment. Fundraising for the work on Winsley's House has been successful with over £100k raised so far, including grants and donations from:

 Fowler Smith and Jones

 Cory Environmental Trust Colchester

 Garfield Weston

 Colchester Borough Council

27 CCVS Projects and administered Funds (Restricted Funds) finished the year with a net surplus of £236,820 (2013: £30,623 deficit), including the £224,432 in respect of the Maldon merger, giving an underlying surplus of £12,388.

 Transport (Colchester) & Shopmobility finished the year with a surplus of £29,587 (2013: £14,149 deficit), due to increased transport activities and excursions, higher bus route income, lower staff costs and lower dead mileage due to improved planning of resources.

 Volunteer Centre and Time Bank finished the year with a surplus of £10,052 (2013: £16,470 deficit), which was higher than budgeted due to closely managed costs and will be carried forward to support future activity in the project.

 Transport Maldon, adjusting for net assets of £224,432 transferred in on 31 August 2013, finished the 7 months to 31 March 2014 with a £28,411 deficit. The management at CCVS is working with the project to promote and develop the activity of the Transport Scheme in Maldon in conjunction with the financial resources held by the project and optimise any synergies between this project and the Colchester Transport project.

 Administered funds finished the year with a £1,160 surplus (2013: £4) We will continue to ensure that the overheads in CCVS and its projects are all fully covered by core and other income, only using reserves when necessary or for the future benefit/growth of CCVS. We continue to investigate other areas of funding, increases in existing funding, as well as possible new projects in keeping with our objectives and for the benefit of the community. In addition, we continue to look at maximising rental income from Winsley’s House. Whilst volunteers are not paid for their voluntary services, any authorised expenses are reimbursed to them accordingly. In addition, where Trustees perform such voluntary services, any such authorised out of pocket expenses are also reimbursed to them, where relevant.

28 Reserves Total Balance at surplus Balance at Surplus or 31 March Transfers and 31 March (deficit) 2013 transfer 2014 balances £ £ £ £ £ Unrestricted funds Accumulated surplus/deficit 130,384 38,152 3,761 41,913 172,297 General fund 11,120 - - - 11,120 Personnel fund 11,500 - - - 11,500 Project fund 12,184 - - - 12,184 Property fund 200,000 - - - 200,000 Equipment fund 15,500 - - - 15,500

380,688 38,152 3,761 41,913 422,601

Property revaluation reserve 90,000 - - - 90,000

Total unrestricted funds 470,688 38,152 3,761 41,913 512,601

Restricted funds A List Support Group 4 - - - 4 Philip Road - 300 - 300 300 Walk Colchester - 37 - 37 37 CAMRA - 823 - 823 823 Ampersand 200 - - - 200

CCVS Projects - designated as below Accumulated surplus/deficit (21,951) 239,421 (3,761) 35,660 213,709 Capital reserve 43,100 - - - 43,100 Personnel fund 13,500 - - - 13,500 Equipment fund 7,000 - - - 7,000 Future Operating fund 11,596 - - - 11,596

Total restricted funds 53,449 240,581 (3,761) 236,820 290,269

Total funds 524,137 278,733 - 278,733 802,870

Funds The General fund is held as a contingency against unforeseen future expenditure. The Personnel funds are reserves against any future possible future employment costs i.e. Redundancy The Project fund was established on cessation of a previous project to assist with unforeseen future expenditure. The balance will be designed to cover future project development, funding software and training development The Property fund has been established to meet cyclical maintenance and repairs costs. It also contains the Capital property value. The Equipment funds have been established to meet the ever changing need to keep up to date and maintain modern technology. The Future Operating Fund was set up to help establish sustainability of the project to meet unpredicted future cuts. The Capital reserve represents assets that have been donated in the past.

29 President, Vice-Presidents and Trustees

The Mayor of Colchester - Cllr Colin Sykes

Bernard Jenkin MP Sir Bob Russell MP

Vice-Chancellor - University of Essex The Bishop of Colchester

Mrs J Sheppard Mr W Sandford MBE JP

The Garrison Commander

Current Resigned

David Evans - Chair Stephen Beresky

Sue Pipe - Treasurer Kim Inglis

Eugene Kraft Brian Jarvis

Samantha Hale

Clayton Beckwith

Beverly Davies

Cate Hammett

Keith Rowland

30 Staff

Tracy Rudling - Chief Executive Officer Tracy Fortescue - Business Development Manager Louise Willsher - Senior Engagement Officer Jonathan Armstrong - Administrator (IT Lead) Rob Miller - Administrator Julie Pearson - Administrator Rodney Appleyard - Engagement Officer Bridget Tighe - Engagement Officer Bryony Jones - Administration Assistant Shelley Rudling - Finance Officer Louise McMillan - Accounts Assistant David Courtier - Finance Assistant Les Davis - Community Accountant Dan Bates - Community Accountant Siobhan Bailey - Community Accountant Martin Taylor - Assistant Team Leader Kevin Seaman - Administrator/Scheduler Rhoda Govinden - Administrator/Scheduler Doug Warner - Driver Doug Chester - Driver Steve Massey - Driver Eric Hirons - Driver Tracy Cloona - Driver Jackie Fairweather - Outreach Co-ordinator Sonia Shaljean - Outreach Co-ordinator Phil Johnson - Time Bank Supervisor Michele James - Life Project Chris Wright - Life Project Paul Harris - Maldon Transport Co-ordinator Sandra Davison - Administrator/Scheduler Nick Daws - Driver Neil Hildred - Life Project Karen Duchesne - Administrator/Scheduler Martin Wynne - Transport John Sims - Cleaner Anna Visegorodceva - Intern Craig Last - Transport Hannah Fletcher - VC Caroline James-Ford - VC/TB

31 Volunteers

Alan Atkinson Janet Toft Mike Meade Alan Bowker Janice Durell Nick Winch Alan Frost Jean Neville Norman Eastbrook Andrew Frost Jim Morton Norman Kelly Anne Maxwell Jim Welton Pat Charlton Anthony Clegg Joe Clark Pat Fothergill Armando Signorelli John Connelly Paul Brown Barry Collins John Harvey Paul Clarke Barry Holland John Ireton Paul Creighton Barry Terrent John Mayes Paul Madge Bernard Lowden John Nichols Peter Patis Bill Thyeson John Rawlinson Peter Toft Bob Francis John Seaden Philip Johnson Bob Wheeler John Tizzard Ralph Watts Brian Woodhall Kate Rodman Richard Banks Carla Mason Keiran welfare Richard Lofthouse Clive Sallows Keith Jackson Robert Longley Colin Hetherington Keith Wignall Rodney Sawtell Dave Groves Keith Wood Roger Tiffin David Gillespie Ken Bing Ron Martin David Read Ken Rayner Jones Sam McGarry David Rutter Kevin Hopkins Sandy Booth David Wright Linda Chaplin Shelagh Mott Dot Mathieson Linda Pittard Simon Morrison Eddy Edwards Lucia Vega Ortiz Steve Buckingham Edward Price Lynn Stockbridge Steve Hogan Geoff Pugh Malcom O'Doherty Susan Clough Geoff Young Malcom Taylor Terry Johnson George Golledge Margaret Cook Tony Pilkington Gordon Hemingway Maurice Pitcher Trish Johnson Helen Logan Wood Melisa Collins Valerie Sweetlove Hilary Razor Michael Hart Viv Perry Jaime Lemon Michael Hills Yvonne Martins Jane McCausland Michael Pennell

32 Membership

4 Youth Brightlingsea Colchester League of Hospital and Community Friends Abbeyfield Community Project Colchester Lions Club Action for Family Carers Colchester M.E. Self Help Group Action for Family Carers - Young Carers Services Colchester Malayalee Community Age UK Colchester Colchester Mind AGNES Day Nursery Colchester Nepalese Society Ampersand Counselling Services Colchester Nightshelter Anglian Community Enterprise CIC Colchester Pensioner's Action Group Art in the Community Colchester Society for the Blind Association of Pension and Benefit Claimants CIC Colchester St Botolph's PCC Autism Anglia Colchester St Raphael Club Balkerne Gardens Trust Colchester Stars Cycle Speedway Club Barney Brain UK Ltd Colchester YMCA Beacon House Ministries Colchester, Tendring & Suffolk Borders Samaritans Beyond Youth Colchester-Blackwater School Sport Partnership Big Picture Charity Films COPE CIC Braintree Emergency Night Shelter Cory Environmental Trust in Colchester Breathe Easy Colchester Cory Environmental Trust in Rochford Bright Lives Social Enterprise CIC Crossroads Care Tendring and Colchester Brightlingsea Saturday Club Cruse Bereavement Care (Colchester Branch) C.H.A.P.S Cruse Social Group Castle Methodist Church Destiny Enterprise Solutions CIC Castlegate Day Centre Development Education Essex Ltd Centre for Action on Rape and Abuse Dimensions UK Chappel and Wakes Colne Village Hall Disability Essex 'Chariot' The Colchester Community Bus Service Disability4Sport CIC Chelmsford and District Scout Council East Anglian Railway Museum Choices for Employers East Anglia's Children's Hospices Christian Youth Outreach Emmaus Colchester Clacton And District Occupational Workshops Epilepsy Action Colchester Cockaynes Wood Trust Essex Blind Charity Colchester and District Talking Newspaper Essex Carers Support Colchester and Tendring Community Trust - Grassroots Essex Coalition of Disabled People Colchester and Tendring Women's Refuge Essex County Football Association Colchester and Tendring Youth Enquiry Service Ltd Essex Dementia Care Colchester and Tiptree Toy Library Essex Mediation Colchester Care Network Essex Multicultural Activities Network CIC Colchester Carers Centre Essex Voluntary Blood Service (EVBS) Colchester Chinese Culture Society Essex Youthbuild Colchester Citizens Advice Bureau First Stop Centre Colchester Counselling and Psychotherapy Centre Fresh Beginnings Colchester Credit Union Ltd Galleywood Heritage Centre Colchester Food Bank Girlguiding UK Essex North East Colchester Furniture Project Go Ride CIC Colchester Gateway Clubs Go4 Enterprises CIC Colchester Hospital Prosthetic User Group Greenpath Ventures Colchester Korban Greenstead Community Centre

33 Harlow Citizens Advice Bureau Signpost (Colchester) Limited Headway Essex Small Steps Preschool Boreham Help for Heroes Smartys Pre-School Highwood Village Hall Solo Housing (East Anglia) Hythe Community Centre Association SOURCE Christian Community Inclusively Digital C.I.C. St Helena Hospice InterAct Chelmsford Ltd. St John's & Highwoods Community Association Ltd Jobserve Sports and Social St Matthews Child Contact Centre KnifeCrimes.Org Stepping Stones Play & Learn Group L.I.G.H.T (Living in Greater Hope Together) Straight Road Community Centre Limited Lady McAdden Breast Screening Unit Streets2homes Laindon Day Centre 'Take Heart' Cardiac Support Group Layer-de-la-Haye Gardening Club Tendring & Colchester Minority Ethnic Partnership Lets Help Local Colchester The April Centre Lion Walk Church Pre-School The Evergreens Lithuanian Society The Fellowship of Greenshoots Maldon Pioneers Association The Haven Project Mencap Older Carers Project and Shared Care The Invicta Foundation MEXSOC UK The Ministry of Parenting CIC Multiple Sclerosis Society (Colchester Branch) The Stockwell Centre Multiple Sclerosis UK The Susan Trust Muscular Dystrophy Group (Colchester) University of Essex Students Union Mustcan Willy CIC Up Up and Away Pre-School Great Waltham My Home Life Essex Community Association Victim Support in Essex North Essex Lymphoedema Support Group Vintage Communities CIC North Essex Stoma Support Group Voluntary Action Epping Forest Nurture Dogs CIC Walk Colchester Old Heath Community Centre WhyNot! Older people's Research Group Open Door - Colchester Wivenhoe in Bloom Open Road Wormingford Community Education Centre Outhouse East Outlook Care PACT for Autism Parents' Aid Phoenix Homes Colchester Re~cycle Relate North Essex and East Herts REVI Riding For The Disabled Association Essex County Royal Association for Deaf People RSPCA Essex Havering and Harold Hill Branch RSPCA Essex North East Branch RSPCA Essex South, Southend and District RSPCA Mid Essex Branch RSPCA North West Essex Sarah Elizabeth Allergy Treatment Appeal Signals Media Arts Centre

34 Looking to the Future

CDP Plans for the coming year: Develop new ways of sharing information across Reach out to more the sector community groups through membership Host an event to address Facilitate partnerships resilience and sustainability, within thematic areas for inviting colleagues from future success many sectors – voluntary, business, public

Continuation of Essex Time Bank roll out – We are working with the Public Service Reform Unit (ECC) to secure funding to be able to continue rolling out our highly successful Time Bank model across Essex. Partners at Southend, Thurrock, Maldon, Braintree and Basildon are hoping to be involved in this phase, dependent upon funding.

New Homes for projects - With the ever-changing Town Centre, some of the CCVS Projects are finding new homes. Transport will be moving to Berechurch Hall Road , Volunteer Centre and Time Bank have moved to Winsley’s House and Shopmoblity will be heading back to its old home at Manor road but still looking for a more permanent home. My Social Prescription Essex roll out – we have been successful in securing some funding from Who Will Care? to enable us to work with partners to build on this scheme, and link with existing good practices across the county.

Winsley’s House New Look - We identified through consultation with our community groups the need for a centrally located training and meeting venue for the voluntary and statutory sector in Colchester Borough. We recognised that improvements were needed to make Winsley's House more accessible and user friendly to members of the public providing better facilities and improved disabled access. With that in mind we are currently undergoing renovations to provide a larger meeting/training room and IT suite, together with ground floor disabled facilities. We anticipate that the building works will be completed in the Autumn.

35 Situated at the heart of the local voluntary and community sector, Colchester CVS is an independent, charitable infrastructure organisation whose aim is to promote and support the effectiveness of voluntary and community groups, services and

activities in the Colchester area.

Registeredin EnglandNo. 4426567

Colchester Community Voluntary Services

Winsley’s House High Street

Colchester CCVSis Company a Limited by Guarantee CO1 1UG

Tel: 01206 505250 Fax: 01206 500367

RegisteredCharity No. 1092567 Contact Us Contact E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.ccvs.org 36