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Northumberland CVA Annual Review 2016-17 Celebrating 30 years of providing support to the voluntary and community sector Our Vision: Our dedicated staff team has seen some changes over the past year. Maureen Shepherd and Erin Supporting Communities, Enabling People Le Gallez have left the team, and Michelle Cadby, Leanne Brown and Rachel Lewis have come onboard. Our Mission: Our Current Staff Team: To engage, stimulate and inspire the creation and VCS SUPPORT SERVICES: development of strong, sustainable and vibrant communities in and the surrounding Ann Atkinson areas Assembly Development Officer [email protected] Our Guiding Values: Jackie Auld Information & Communications Officer We believe that people and communities are at the [email protected] heart of what we do Michelle Cadby We have a passion and reputation that means we can Development Officer - Volunteering and do make a difference [email protected] Carolyn Fothergill We have a firm belief that everyone has something to Development Officer - Projects offer and can make a valuable contribution [email protected] We have a conviction that the voluntary and Marc Johnson community sector plays a crucial role in society and is Development Officer - Funding firmly fixed at the heart of civil society [email protected]

We believe that our staff are our greatest asset EMPLOYABILITY:

We endeavor to be a catalyst for positive change Leanne Brown Bridge Support Assistant We believe in a high quality of provision and delivery [email protected] of services Lisa Wackett Programmes Co-ordinator We believe in making a difference by breaking cycles [email protected] of disadvantage and marginalization within the community WORKING WITH OLDER PEOPLE:

Karen Cox Our Themes and Objectives: Re:Action Project Co-ordinator THEME: Group Development & Funding Advice [email protected] OBJECTIVE: Capacity building, engagement and development FINANCE & ADMINISTRATION: Providing high quality support that is founded on sound knowledge and understanding of community needs, that Simon Baker strengthens and empowers voluntary and community groups Administrator at a local level. [email protected] THEME: Volunteering Rachel Lewis OBJECTIVE: Employability & volunteering Finance Officer Creating opportunities for individuals to engage with the labour [email protected] market or make a valuable contribution to society through volunteering activities. Our Trustees:

THEME: Voice & Influence Rodney James: Chair OBJECTIVE: Representation & influencing Joe Jackson: Vice Chair Helping to shape and inform local planning and policy Sue Ashmore development that affects the VCSE sector. Mark Fitton THEME: Community Development Mary Hindmarsh OBJECTIVE: Partnership & collaboration Philip Kramer (retired during this year) Working with other organisations and sectors to build a society Paul Lawrence that is stronger, where people are inspired to make a positive Val Tyler difference to their communities. Jean Wright The Chair’s Report:

As our Annual I must record our many thanks Review points out, to Anne and her staff for their we are celebrating conscientiousness and for their 30 years of commitment, not only to the providing support organisation, but also to the to the voluntary and voluntary and community sector community sector. In in Northumberland. Also, many those years we have thanks to the trustees for the been able to help time they have given to this countless numbers organisation over the year. of organisations and The trustees would like to individuals, initially record their thanks to Mr Philip in the old district of Kramer, who has retired this Wansbeck and now across the whole County of year from the board, for all his support and for the Northumberland. helpful advice he has given us over many years. Although many annual reviews these days all seem To our funders, we say thank you. To those who to tell the same story about the challenging times, have worked with us in partnership and for those particularly with regard to increasing difficulties in who have used our services and have benefited securing funding (which also applies to ourselves), from us being there, we also say thank you. it is pleasing to read the statistics in ours about the number of people we’ve been able to support I hope you enjoy reading this review and can see and help with limited resources. Our support has that by our work, we have contributed to making a enabled those people to make a difference in their difference to people in our beautiful county. own organisations or with their own communities. We are at the moment measuring the financial impact we are having in our communities using Rose Regeneration’s Social Value Engine and we estimate that for every £1 of the overall cost for the Rodney James year of our commissioned VCS Support Services, Chair we contribute over £5 into the community. That is a great investment for Northumberland County Contents: Council, who awarded us the commission in 2014, Page since it allows the organisations we have supported Chair’s Report 1 to improve their own impact in the services they deliver direct to their communities. Chief Executive’s Report 2

We also carry out some direct delivery work through Celebrating 30 years 3 our Working with Older People projects (page 10) and Employability projects (page 12). We have Group Development & Funding Support 4 used the same Social Value Engine tool to measure the ratio of cost to value of the work we do with Grant giving: Our Funds 7 older people on our Assisted Shopping Scheme and Digital Inclusion sessions and estimate that for every Memberships 7 £1 of funding received for this work, we made a contribution into the community of over £16. Volunteering 8 Although as an organisation we support, contribute Working with Older People 10 to, and also champion the value of the voluntary sector at a strategic level, as our Annual Review Employability 12 indicates, at the heart of our work it is the individual who matters. I am pleased to say that in all the Voice & Influence 14 years I have been associated with the organisation, this is the principle that is at the forefront of our work Back Office Services 16 - i.e. ‘the individual is important and they matter’. Accounts Inside back cover Even though I will not be around when we celebrate our 60th anniversary, I do hope that this will still be the guiding light for the organisation then.

Northumberland CVA Annual Review 2016-17 : 1 The Chief Executive’s Report:

s would be There is no doubt that changes will continue throughout Aexpected in the coming years, not just in the voluntary sector but public celebrating 30 years, and private sectors too. It is also true to say that a lot of looking back over big changes are afoot at present. We may see political time makes for change at local government level, devolution may bring interesting reading. change and Brexit will inevitably result in massive change; Northumberland CVA not least the ending of funding that provides many VCS has gone through many organisations in Northumberland with a resource that is changes since we were not available from other sources. established in 1987, We do not intend to stand still. We will continue to be under the name of innovative and evolve, continue to develop and work Wansbeck Council for in partnership, both within the VCS and the public and Voluntary Service. private sector. We will ensure those organisations that We have seen funding increase and decrease, staffing require our support and help to grow and develop have the levels grow and decline, organisations either thrive expertise, knowledge and skills which our knowledgeable or survive, and sadly in recent times we have seen and experienced staff can and do deliver. From supporting longer established organisations disappearing. Despite organisations to ensure their future sustainability to these changes, our mission has always remained the delivering employability programmes, from offering same; “To engage, stimulate and inspire the creation bespoke support services to providing knowledge and and development of strong sustainable and vibrant information, we will continue to do what we do best to communities in Northumberland and surrounding areas” ensure the VCS in Northumberland can grow. Looking through old newsletters, monitoring and None of this would be possible without the hard work and evaluations and old annual reports/reviews, reminds us dedication of my staff team. They continue to give their how much we have done and achieved for the voluntary heart and soul to their work and they remain dedicated and community sector in Northumberland, and how much and supportive, and without them the sector would be a our services have changed to meet the changing needs of poorer place. My Chair and board continue to support the sector. me through the good times and the challenging times, often having to make difficult decisions but ones that have We have always been an organisation that moves with ensured our sustainability and I would like to thank them the times; we have generated income through contracts for their support. and tenders since 1999, long before the government recognised this as a means of income for the VCS. I know I won’t be here in another 30 years, but We have achieved a number of national awards for Northumberland CVA will continue to provide our innovative and outstanding work in the sector and our communities and voluntary organisations in consistently achieved our national quality standards Northumberland with a qualitative service, for as long as for nine years running. Over the past three years we we are able and our services are required. have over achieved on all our outcomes and our key performance indicators, as part of our commissioned work with Northumberland County Council. When austerity hit us all a number of years ago, we had to re-structure and review our services, in particular how they would be delivered in such a large county. Since 2012, Northumberland CVA has ended each financial Anne Lyall year with a deficit. In these difficult times, this is not an Chief Executive Officer unusual situation for charities to find themselves in. Our Trustees have had to make difficult decisions in using these reserves, but bravely took the decision to continue to support our work in local communities in Northumberland. Using our assets and resources to their full capacity, securing commissions and contracts as well as grants from local and national funders, and using modern technology and social media to deliver and provide services, we are ending this financial year with a small surplus. By constantly reviewing our staffing, structure and delivery methods we can ensure that we are providing the best service at the best cost.

2 : Northumberland CVA Annual Review 2016-17 Celebrating 30 years of providing support to the voluntary and community sector

Northumberland CVA Annual Review 2016-17 : 3 Group Development & Funding Support

Staff delivering work around group development and funding support have been as busy as ever this year supporting a wide range of groups across the length and breadth of Northumberland. This advice and support ensures organisations are operating safely and legally, are sustainable and have a positive impact on the communities they serve. In total 220 groups have been provided with support this year.

101 groups benefitted from attending the funding fairs we organised in Wylam, Seahouses and by having the opportunity to discuss potential applications with some of the key local, regional and national funders. In addition to the funding fairs we organised four funding training sessions as well as six funding information sessions for partner organisations. Our training sessions covered a range of topics including searching for funding, avoiding common pitfalls and writing the perfect application. The feedback from these sessions was excellent, with all attendees reporting increased confidence in securing funding in the future. Information sessions were delivered by the Community Foundation on their general funds and three sessions for communities around the windfarms close to Widdrington; Coalfields Regeneration Trust also delivered a session on their available funding and support on offer. What people say: Through our events and direct support via our funding advice service we have helped groups to secure in Seahouses Funding Fair excess of £940,000. In addition we are aware of a “Very well organised and a welcome further £1.8m that groups have secured where they have opportunity to meet potential funders” received advice and support from Northumberland CVA but not through our funding advice service, this support MARTENE CARROLL, Tomorrow’s People includes governance advice and advice on policies and procedures. “Excellent range of funding organisations. Really helpful. I left feeling 100% more positive” RITA COLBY, Elsdon Village Hall

Better Bid Writing Course

“Excellent presentation. Good quality advice and information. Experienced presenter. Good materials and handouts” JIM DARLINGTON, Minsteracres Retreat Centre

Management Committee training 100% of attendees have a better understanding of their roles and responsibilities following the training.

4 : Northumberland CVA Annual Review 2016-17 Stamfordham Play Park Gallery Youth Project The Gallery Youth Project ( Young Peoples Association) first made contact with us in late 2014 and attended the first Funding Fair we organised under the Northumberland County Council commission. Coming to the end of their National Lottery Reaching Communities Funding, Gallery Youth were urgently trying to find replacement funding either again through Reaching Communities or from other sources.

The bid they submitted to Reaching Communities in early 2015 was rejected at the first stage, but once re-drafted and submitted with advice and support from Marc Johnson, the application made it through to stage one but was then unsuccessful at the second stage. A further application in early 2016 was again knocked back at the first stage.

In order to keep the project running during this uncertainty, Marc provided advice and support to secure other sources of funding.

When Big Lottery revised their strategic framework and their vision of how they want to support communities, Gallery Youth took this information on-board, received further advice and support from both Marc and from staff at Big Lottery, and carried out an enormous amount of work to identify the needs of young people in Alnwick and surrounding areas.

The application was re-written and submitted A group of parents and members of the wider towards the end of 2016, and made it through community from Stamfordham approached us in the first stage assessment. The second stage application was written and submitted in March late 2015 for our help to redevelop the play park in 2017. At the time of writing this report we have their very rural village. At that time, we supported heard the fantastic news the Gallery Youth were this group in setting up ‘Friends of Stamfordham successful at stage two and have been awarded Play Park’ with a basic constitution which enabled £288,500. them to open a back account and apply for funding.

Since then, we have supported them to identify funding opportunities and given advice on writing bids. We also acted as an umbrella organisation for the group by accepting donations from the community on their behalf, this enabled us to claim gift-aid on the donations meaning the amount of funds the group received was maximised.

In March 2017 the group reached their target of £68,000. This was raised over a period of 18 months and came from a wide range of sources including funders, community events and individual donations from members of the community.

Northumberland CVA Annual Review 2016-17 : 5 There is always a huge variation in the amount of time Communications needed to support different groups to achieve their goals. Some groups are already very self-sufficient One of the requirements of the VCS Support Services when they first come to us and need only very brief commission is that we keep groups and organisations advice and guidance on the roles and responsibilities of up to date with important issues and events relating a management committee for instance, or simply pointing to the sector, and so we send out a regular fortnightly in the right direction to be able to access the funding e-bulletin full of relevant information. they need for their activities. Other groups need a much As well as our own news and events, the bulletin greater level of support, and this year has seen a vast includes information on what’s happening with difference in the amount of time, effort and skills required. Northumberland VCS Assembly, national and Carolyn Fothergill, our project development officer, has regional sector news, funding updates, volunteering delivered both one to one and small group training to some and governance news. groups on what is expected of them in their role of Trustee. We are also able to advertise voluntary and With other groups, she has needed to work much closer community sector job vacancies and trustee to ensure they have the correct policies and procedures in opportunities through the bulletin. This is a service place to develop good practice within their organisation. we offer free to members of Northumberland CVA. She has also needed to employ mediation skills to help For non-members, we charge a very affordable and groups resolve differences to a satisfactory conclusion for competitive fee of £25 per listing. all parties involved. Working intensely with one group of By the end of March 2017, the bulletin had a trustees, who were taking over a community centre with no subscription list of 976 - an increase of 10.7% from previous experience in either committee skills or the day the previous year. Given that we are catering for a to day running of a community centre, Carolyn drew the wide breadth of organisation types and work themes, group together to work as a team. She delivered intensive it is by necessity very wide ranging and all the one to one support and guidance, group support sessions, information contained within it not always of interest regular meetings and training to expand the group’s skills to everyone. However, in a survey carried out in so they could learn how to rise to what has turned out to January we received some very positive feedback on be a much greater challenge than they had anticipated, its contents. and to accomplish something of significant benefit to the community they represent. This piece of work is ongoing. Throughout the year, we have continued to improve our websites and the resources available through it, @NorthumberldCVA @NorthumberlandCVA and we have also developed our social media activity.

What people say:

Our fortnightly E-bulletin

“I have recommended the newsletter to other organisations. It is informative and well laid out.” Cygnus Support

“The bulletin is good. I need to find more time to benefit from it.” ANON, West Northumberland

When asked a survey carried out in January 2017 what they thought of our fornightly e-bulletin:

35% told us it is excellent

49% said it is good

16% think it is satisfactory

6 : Northumberland CVA Annual Review 2016-17 Grant giving - Our Funds Learning Choices Legacy Fund Vantage Fund

We continue to administer the Legacy Fund, which The Vantage Fund was set up was set up following the closure of Learning in memory of our former CEO Choices Northumberland Ltd, a charity that Sheila McGuckin following her supported unemployed individuals to improve tragic death in 2010. their employability. When the company closed, the remaining reserves went to continue to support local The aim of this fund is to help people into work through this fund. to improve the Wansbeck area by tackling some of its In the current year we have made grants of £1,910 to problems through supporting the local people and community 11 individuals to help with indirect costs or training for groups who are best placed to unemployed people taking up new employment or self- help these often hard to reach employment. communities.

The majority of these grants were to cover the cost of Due to staff shortage, we have not been able to develop work clothes and travel costs to enable individuals to take the Vantage Fund this year, although there is still £1,638 up the offer of employment. Three grants covered the in this fund for future allocations. cost of training and replacement certification, while two grants were given to help individuals start up their own new business.

Memberships Northumberland CVA membership Membership of the new network is free to members of Northumberland CVA and to organisations operating in During this year, we have carried out significant work the county with an income less than £10,000. It is open on improving the benefits of Northumberland CVA to other VCS organisations at a very affordable fee of membership and on attracting new members from across only £50 per year. the county. Members of the network have access to a huge online Having been in operation now for thirty years and having bank of over 400 resources that offer guidance in every previously worked primarily in the South East corner of aspect of a trustee’s role and receive additional monthly the county, some of our membership benefits (such as the reduced cost of admin services like photocopying e-bulletins featuring changes in the law and updates to essential guidance. etc) were not relevant to organisations operating in other parts of the county or to those working digitally. It was Northumberland VCS Assembly high time for a change and our benefits now include free membership advertising of job vacancies and trustee opportunities in our popular fortnightly e-bulletin, that feedback tells us is Northumberland VCS Assembly is an inclusive, forwarded to countless more than the current distribution independent and influential voice for the voluntary and list. community sector in the county. It is a mechanism for better engagement and influence with public sector Northumberland Trustees’ Network partners and strategic partnerships to shape and respond membership to the challenges and opportunities facing the sector Early in 2014, Northumberland CVA (under its previous in Northumberland. It is open to all VCS organisations operating name of Wansbeck CVS) was commissioned and networks operating in Northumberland and anyone by c4c to carry out a scoping exercise on the needs of working with them, paid or unpaid trustees in voluntary and community sector organisations The Assembly is a separate entity to Northumberland operating in Northumberland that have income over CVA, although it is currently being facilitated by £50,000 per annum and that employ staff. As a result Northumberland CVA under our Northumberland County of that exercise, we were asked to lead on the creation Council VCS Support Services commission. of a new trustee network in Northumberland and Find out more about the work of Northumberland VCS were awarded two small successive grants from The Assembly in the Voice and Influence pages of this Annual Hadrian Trust for this purpose. Following consultation, Reveiw. Northumberland Trustees’ Network was launched in June 2016.

Northumberland CVA Annual Review 2016-17 : 7 Volunteering

This year has brought some and continued to offer one to one volunteering support to significant changes to the individuals with additional needs. volunteering element of Volunteer Connect launched in January 2017. The our VCS support Services new system is a web-based database that allows commission, not least of both volunteers and organisations to register online. which has been two changes Organisations are able to advertise their volunteering of staff. opportunities themselves and keep their profile up to The end of March 2016 saw the date to find the most suitable matches. Volunteers retirement of Anne Kidd. Anne can also manage their online profile; they can apply was a long-serving member of for opportunities via the system and have two-way staff and, as Development Officer communications with the organisations seeking volunteers. for Volunteering, had delivered In total, we posted 105 volunteer opportunities online this support to volunteer-involving organisations as part of our year. commissioned work since 2014. @vcentre @NorthumberlandCVA When Anne retired, the post was filled by Maureen Shepherd. Maureen’s work included assisting in the What people say: implementation of our new Volunteer Connect database and the organisation of a Training and Network event for Berwick Volunteer Recruitment Fair volunteer managers and co-ordinators in January 2017 that featured as speaker the well-known authority on volunteering, Rob Jackson. However, Maureen then left us “Meeting other volunteer in January to pursue pastures new and the role remained agencies has opened other unfilled for the remainder of the period. networking opportunities, In total, we hosted three training and network events and although volunteer enquiries one Volunteer Co-ordinators’ forum event. We also hosted were low.” two volunteer fairs: in Berwick and Morpeth, which were PC 3648 RUTHERFORD, both well appreciated by volunteer managers and co- ordinators for the opportunities they presented for them to network with colleagues as well as to chat face to face with “Best of the four events I have potential volunteers, although numbers were quite low at attended in Northumberland.” the Berwick event. We provided best practice advice and DAVID SWINTON, Macmillan Volunteer Coordinator support to a total of 32 volunteer-involving organisations

8 : Northumberland CVA Annual Review 2016-17 What people say:

Training & Networking Event 12th Jan SPEAKER: Rob Jackson

“Good clear delivery of important messages, which were sensibly illustrated.” JEAN HUMPHRYS, Bailiffgate Museum

“Fast paced and thought provoking.” P WILLIAMS, Blind Veterans UK

“My eyes were reopened.” ALAN FOWLER, Samaritans

“Current and relevant information, which encouraged me to reflect on my role, challenges and opportunities.” NINA LIVINGS, Northumberland Fire & Rescue

“The guest speaker considered volunteering as individuals with skill sets rather than as organisations with roles to fill.” HELEN STAIG, Royal Voluntary Service

Northumberland CVA Annual Review 2016-17 : 9 Working with Older People

Assisted Shopping Project Declining health and mobility problems often prevent older people from getting out and about and doing their own shopping. Using accessible minibuses and a team of volunteers to collect older people from their own homes and take them out to popular shopping areas, our Re:Action Assisted Shopping Scheme supports older Our work with older people is now funded by people in South East Northumberland to maintain their grants from the People’s Health Trust, Bernicia, The independence by helping them get out and about. Ridley Family Trust, Comic Relief and Northumbria Volunteers on the Scheme offer support by pushing Health Care Trust. Our Assisted Shopping Scheme wheelchairs or holding someone’s arm and helping to continues to do well, as do our Digital Inclusion carry their bags or push their trolley so they are able to sessions. make their own shopping choices, and also helping them Under funding from the People’s Health Trust, Project to access other essential services, such as the bank, post Co-ordinator Karen Cox is now able to devote additional office or library. time to help develop the Golden Age Forum. Over the year, 15 volunteers have given over 1,650 hours of their time to support the 44 individuals who have accessed the service.

Golden Age Forum The Forum works in partnership with several organisations for older people, including Ageing Well in Northumberland and the Older Peoples Partnership Board. It hosts regular monthly meetings for residents of the former Wansbeck District area, who are aged over 55. This year, with dedicated support from Karen, the Forum has developed well, offering regular outings and digital inclusion sessions as well as the monthly meetings. The support offered in the digital inclusion sessions varies from helping individuals to set up brand new PCs and laptops to teaching people how to access essential services or apply for jobs online. What people say: Mary from Newbiggin has been attending the shopping project since November 2016. Mary is 94 years old and before getting involved with the project she would sit in her flat and not see many people other than her family. Now she says being able to get out to do her shopping has given her a new lease of life.

“I never miss a shopping trip, I get my hair set every Monday ready for the Tuesday. It gives me a reason to put my good clothes on and get dressed up. I even put my jewellery on and a bit of lippy. Thanks to this service I have something to look forward too.

What people say: “It means so much to me. I look Hugh Lamont retired from a career in IT four years ago. forward to getting on that bus, having After the initial euphoria at “being free” he felt he needed a chat with the others and catching up to do something, not just to give something back to the on local news. And the volunteers are community, but also to keep his skills up to date and to so helpful - nothing is a bother. give himself a sense of purpose. “When I get to Manor walks I love to He feels that volunteering with Northumberland CVA is look around the shops and go to the helping him to achieve these objectives. bank. It’s amazing how much you miss not having a bank in your local town.” “I derive an enormous degree of satisfaction from helping people to communicate online with various government agencies, and to submit job applications and CVs. Many of these people have had no experience of IT, and often do not have the resources, skills, and confidence to submit such applications online, as is now expected.

“For example, I was able to help a lady who was distressed at the thought of having to submit an on- line CV in order to submit a job application, and failure to do so would most likely have resulted in her losing benefits. She had thought that, having “only been a shop worker”, she had no skills that would be relevant for a CV.

“I was able to guide her through the process, and successfully mentor her in creating a CV, which involved including such skills as customer interaction, money handling, stock taking, etc.”

Northumberland CVA Annual Review 2016-17 : 11 Employability Seeds to Success Project Regrettably, our Seeds to Success Horticultural work experience. Project came to end this year Over the life of the project, when funding could no we have assisted over 90 longer be secured to volunteers to develop new support it. skills and seven of these have The project secured employment. We have had been supported clients with a range successfully of health issues and provided delivered them with opportunities to since reduce their social isolation, November improve their own mental health 2012, and lead a healthier active lifestyle. working We have also worked in partnership with the Golden until Age Forum, which represents the views and the needs recently in of older residents of the former Wansbeck District. Our partnership Seeds to Success volunteers were able to showcase with the their skills and further improve their confidence and Seaton Hirst communication skills, while forum members had the Allotment opportunity to create hanging baskets for their own Society to enable homes. This activity was thoroughly enjoyed by both local people with parties. a range of abilities to gain practical horticultural

The Bridge Project

As one project finishes, another starts. Bridge is an additional resource that will work in In September 2016, Northumberland CVA began partnership with existing programmes and services. Northumberland CVA will be delivering the Bridge work on a new supported volunteering project. Supported Volunteering element of the project. The Bridge Project is a new employability programme Volunteer Buddies are recruited and trained by our in Northumberland, jointly funded by the Big Lottery Supported Volunteering team. They are then matched and European Social Fund and currently funded to September 2019. The new project is all about moving to a beneficiary who needs support to be able to access a volunteering opportunity, with the aim of eventually people closer to employment through personalised support and reaching out to some of the most vulnerable moving the beneficiary into unsupported volunteering or people in our community. other activities that take them closer to finding work. Bridge is a partnership between the Public Sector and the Voluntary and Community Sector. Following a competitive process in 2015, a number of organisations were selected to come together to develop a partnership. Northumberland County Council is the lead accountable body for the project, and VoiCeS Northumberland is the operational lead partner. As well as Northumberland CVA, the other partners are: • Blyth Resource & Initiative Centre • Cygnus Support • Escape Family Support • Citizens Advice Northumberland

12 : Northumberland CVA Annual Review 2016-17 Job Club Funded by the Big Lottery and the Community to access our Learning Choices Legacy Fund to help them Foundation Tyne & Wear and Northumberland, our pay for work attire and travel costs. In addition, those who Job Club worked with 53 people from September 2017 were offered employment were given the oportunity to carry to March 2018, supporting participants in a range out a ‘better off in work’ calculation prior to accepting the of activities, including carrying out job searches, job to ensure it would be financially viable for them, and preparing for interviews and learning budgeting were also able to improve their finances by looking at the strategies, as well as helping to improve their financial savings discussed during the sessions – including confidence through one to one support sessions. looking at shopping online and at comparison websites to The project’s co-ordinator, Lisa Wackett has a wealth shop more effectively for essential items such as utilities of experience in delivering this type of work as an and insurance policies. employment officer on multiple other projects and is The project has specifically targeted young people, qualified at level 3 in Information, Advice & Guidance. including NEETs, lone parents and people with mental and A big part of our work on this project has involved coaching physical health issues offering weekly support sessions participants to use the Jobcentre’s Universal Job Match and a package of tailored support to help people develop so they could log information about the jobs they have life skills and move towards employment. applied for accurately to ensure they comply with their own jobseeker’s agreement. For those with poor literacy What people say: skills, we have worked with them on a one to one basis, supporting them to apply for jobs and updating their “I really appreciate all of your help Universal Job Match record with them. We have assisted these past few weeks. From walking two participants to overturn a DWP sanction and the in off the street I was made welcome suspension of their benefits. and valued. Not only the practical Participants are also invited to use a progress wheel at the start of their job search sessions and then again at the end. help with improving my IT skills and 21 participants completed their wheel at both ends of their job searching, but also the emotional job search journey, enabling them to see the progress they support has been great. My confidence had made. and self-esteem has soared, resulting in We are pleased to report that twelve (22.6%) of the employment!” participants secured employment, four of whom were able Lorraine Walton

Northumberland CVA Annual Review 2016-17 : 13 Voice and Influence Northumberland VCS This event provided an opportunity to gain the support Assembly exists to champion and assistance of local organisations that could help the views of the voluntary ease the transition of the refugees into the community and community sector by and was attended by 36 interested parties. providing an inclusive, Opportunities have also been taken to build relationships independent and influential and contribute to policy decisions through responding voice, raising the profile of the voluntary and to consultations, attending meetings and working community sector with the collaboratively with other agencies. For example: public and private sectors and encouraging better • We have attended Northumberland engagement. Clinical Commissioning Group consultations about the Department of Membership of the Assembly has grown to 303 members Health’s Sustainable Transformation with 38 new members since April 2016, an increase of Plans and the Accountable Care 15%. Organisation for Northumberland, stressing the importance of engaging The democratically elected Executive Committee with the voluntary and community and provides leadership and is responsible for progressing ensuring the sector has a voice. the development and direction of the Assembly. We are very pleased that as a result of Executive Committee We have also supported Public Health by efforts, the VCS Assembly now has a representative on • undertaking an asset mapping exercise the Health and Well-Being Board, which brings together of voluntary and community sector key partners from health and care organisations in work activity contributing to health to improve the health and wellbeing of local people. and well-being so they are Regular network meetings across the county provide an better informed about opportunity for voluntary and community groups to come provision across together, be informed and share what they are doing. the county to inform future Representatives from the Executive Committee meet planning. quarterly with councillors at the VCS Cabinet Advisory Group and hold meetings at voluntary and community sector venues across the county so that members can hear about the work of voluntary and community groups.

The Assembly has contributed reports to the group on such subjects as the Community Chest Scheme, Safe Places Scheme and on delivering the second year of the commission. Issues have also been raised by the sector. One such issue was the possibility of a link to our volunteering opportunities database being placed on the Council’s staff intranet site to encourage volunteering amongst staff. This has now been implemented.

The Assembly has also been represented on the multi- agency Refugee and Asylum Seekers Operational Group led by Northumberland County Council, and has coordinated the provision of clothes and other items from the voluntary and community sector for the first Syrian families arriving in the County.

The Assembly also organised a successful event in October 2106 for local community and voluntary organisations and faith groups in the area. This event informed attendees about the plans for receiving Syrian refugees, the experiences of another area that had already received Syrian refugees, and the Syrian culture.

14 : Northumberland CVA Annual Review 2016-17 Northumberland VCS Assembly role in Syrian Vulnerable Persons Relocation Scheme (SVPRS)

Northumberland County Council has a commitment integrated successfully with local communities. to help those fleeing war torn countries and set up a multi-agency working group to provide support and “In addition, NCVA organised and facilitated a advice to put in place the services needed to help very productive meeting with the voluntary sector resettle the refugee families. Julian Whitley, Senior in Cramlington to share information, establish contacts and plan future working relationships. Housing Officer Asylum Seekers and Refugees, said: “Northumberland CVA (NCVA) have made a valuable “Furthermore, NCVA have acted as an intermediary contribution to the work with Northumberland County between NCC and the VCS around donation of Council on settling vulnerable Syrian families in the goods and money to help the Syrian families with county. the expense of their initial period in the UK e.g. school uniforms, additional furniture items. This has involved active participation in our Operational Group, a multi agency group which “This assistance from NCVA has been pivotal to sets the framework for ensuring newly arrived ensuring the scheme to resettle the Syrian families families receive appropriate services and are is a success.”

What people say:

"I find the network meetings very helpful, particularly in terms of meeting people from other organisations. As we are so spread out geographically, regular opportunities to get together are invaluable." Natural Ability

"As a small organization, listening to other set ups offers you the opportunity to reappraise how you are performing." Blyth Development Trust

"We have benefited greatly in the attendance of these networks. An example is in being able to deliver a part of an international event through the support of the CVA staff and various third sector organisations. Without this network this would not have been able to happen." Anon

Northumberland CVA Annual Review 2016-17 : 15 Finance and Administration

As part of our core activities to help build the expand the use of our fully accessible conference and capacity of the voluntary and community sector, meeting room facilities with great success. Northumberland CVA’s Finance and Administration We now have regular weekly block bookings team provides an efficient and cost effective back from a wide variety of organisations for meetings, office service to voluntary and community groups conferences, training courses etc., and we have also from our premises on Station Road in Ashington. begun to offer the facilities for evening and weekend Reception and Administration Services hire at a negotiable price. Our administration service provides the initial Financial Services welcoming face for visitors as they enter our building We have prepared accounts for four organisations and is also typically the first voice that a caller will hear on the phone, dealing with enquiries and signposting over this financial year and we have acted as an to other members of staff and to other services. intermediary cheque handler to enable several small groups to access funding. We provide a reception service for organisations that We have also continued to provide a comprehensive currently rent office space within the building and clerical services to the public as well as to community payroll service to three organisations. Going forward, groups, including services such as bulk photocopying this is an area in which we intend to concentrate and giving information, advice and guidance. our work in order to add new clients and expand the service to help build the sustainability of the Room Bookings and Office Hire organisation. If you’d like to know more, please get in touch (details below). During this period, our team has worked hard to Community Room Hire Payroll Service Conference and For community groups and small businesses Training facilities Northumberland CVA provides a competitively-priced Are you looking for affordable and accessible room and comprehensive Payroll Service to meet the needs hire facilities in Northumberland? of not only voluntary and community groups but also small businesses. Located on Station Road in Ashington, Northumberland CVA offers an ideal venue for businesses and Allow us to take on the administrative burden to free you to organisations to hold conferences, training courses, deliver your services. meetings and workshops.

• Payroll calculation and the production of With a personal service and a professional environment, monthly/weekly pay slips our Conference Room combines a high standard of • Payroll reports facilities, with adaptable room layouts to meet your • Help with payroll, PAYE, National Insurance and requirements. HMRC queries And because all revenue from room hire goes towards • Year-end data, P60’s and automatic enrolment our work with charities and voluntary groups in • Support with any payroll issues, such as Northumberland, you’ll not only get a great venue for your absence, SSP, SMP and record keeping event - you’ll be helping the community too.

Call: 01670 858688 Call: 01670 858688 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected]

16: Northumberland CVA Annual Review 2016-17 Accounts

2017 Income 2016 Income

£72,301 £75,390

Unrestricted Unrestricted £234,483 Restricted £269,331 Restricted

2017 Unrestricted Expenditure Surplus/Deficit 2% 2% Premises running costs £20,000.00 12% 28% Salaries and national insurance Staff related costs 2017 £10,000.00 54% Office running costs 2% Independent Examiner’s fees £- Depreciation and capital loss

2015 2017 Restricted Expenditure -£10,000.00 Premises running costs 0%0%

1% Salaries and national 1% insurance 5% 9% 5% -£20,000.00 Staff related costs 2% 2016 8% Office running costs

69% Management charges -£30,000.00

Volunteer expenses

2014 Project running cost and -£40,000.00 beneficiary support and training Independent Examiner’s fees

Grants made from grant- -£50,000.00 giving trusts Our work: Our Funders: A great big thank you to all of our current funders. In alphabetical order, they are: We’d love to tell you more about our Ancroft Parish Council Ashington Town Council work throughout Northumberland Awards for All and the support we can offer your Barbour Foundation Bernicia (Wansbeck Homes) organisation and Parish Council and Parish Council Please get in touch Comic Relief Community Foundation - Pea Green Boat Fund Community Foundation - Sage Community Fund Corbridge Parish Council D’Oyly Carte Charitable Trust EC Graham Charitable Settlement Embleton Parish Council ESF & The Big Lottery Ford Parish Council Hauxley Parish Council Town Council How to contact us: Longhoughton Parish Council Newbiggin by the Sea Town Council Northumberland Care Trust

Address: Northumberland County Council 107 & 109 Station Road Northumberland County Council Community Chest Ashington Ord Parish Council Northumberland Pegswood Parish Council NE63 8RS Ridley Family Trust Santander Foundation Discovery Fund Sir James Knott Trust Tel: The Joicey Trust 01670 858 688 The People’s Health Trust Woodhorn Charitable Trust

Email: Wylam Parish Council [email protected] Some smaller grants were also received from individuals, for which we also offer our sincere thanks.

Websites: www.northumberlandcva.org.uk vcsassemblynorthumberland.co.uk

Opening hours: 9:00am – 5:00pm, Monday–Thursday Closed to the public on Friday

Registered Company No: 5980151 Registered in

Registered Charity Number: 1119404