Northumberland CVA VCS Support Services Commission This Document Lists Our Achievements from April 2014 - November 2017
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Northumberland CVA VCS Support Services Commission This document lists our achievements from April 2014 - November 2017 About Northumberland CVA “Not only is Northumberland CVA invaluable in Northumberland CVA has delivered this terms of knowledge and support, they are also commission since 2014. the communication link between local issues We are an independent membership organisation and solutions and support in the stabilisation for the voluntary and community sector in of the third sector when statutory services are Northumberland and holders of the NAVCA constantly contracting.” “Since Northumberland Quality Award. CVA took on responsibility ANON for county-wide VCS infrastructure, we have seen a marked Social Value improvement in the We have measured the social value quality, consistency, coherence and reach of achieved by this commission using the support services to the VCS Social Value Engine which has been in Northumberland.” promoted by NCC. Every £1 invested has ANON “An excellent organisation led to £5.16 of value. that has worked well in developing this work.” ANON Anonymous responses to NCC survey carried out in 2015-16 and NCVA evaluation survey carried out in January 2017 Funding Advice, Group Support & Volunteering 773 groups supported throughout the commission More than £2.1m raised by groups following funding advice from NCVA More than £4.8m raised by groups with support other than funding advice 10 Funding Fairs provided: “Excellent event that “It was useful to talk to funders and Alnwick Sept 2014 complemented the bid-writing get a clearer understanding of “Most useful. I think it’s important event. It makes sense now!!” how they work and what is re- for attendees to know that trusts Newbiggin by the Sea Dec 2014 Andy Clark quired for grant applications.” are there to help.” Glendale Amateur Boxing and Fitness Bardon Mill Mar 2015 Janet Applegarth Stephanie Moore GoLocal Food Ltd. Mandell’s Coffee Pot Ancroft July 2015 “The event helped our “Very well organised – it organisation to really focus on Blyth Nov 2015 was good that the funders exactly what our strengths and skills are. Identifying our needs Wylam May 2016 knew a bit about our project before we sat has sharpened our clarity on Seahouses Nov 2016 down.” why our organisation is so vital.” Jean Lawrence Ashington Mar 2017 St Mary’s Church Janet Walton “Very informative and Newton by the Sea “Very well organised, and six Preppies Youth theatre Bardon Mill July 2017 helpful. Massive help in of the funders had grants expanding our funding relevant to our needs.” Felton Sep 2017 reach and lots of advice Julie Smith to take forward.” Bardon Mill & Henshaw Village Hall Gem McCallum Wansbeck Disability forum A total of 215 hours of face to face tailored funding advice direct from funders on specific project ideas. That equates to an average of 21.5 hours of advice given per 5 hour Funding Fair. What funders say about our Funding Fairs: “Having participated in numerous “I thought the afternoon was funding fairs over the years, I can pitched just right. I met some great “Meeting Trust staff/funder groups and am looking forward the representatives does really help to honestly say that this was by far my put people at ease and builds up Community Foundation receiving best experience and certainly the their confidence to apply for most productive. The organisation some interesting applications.” funding, especially now as so many funders have ‘on-line’ only of appointments was particularly Community Foundation Tyne & Wear and application forms. In addition, by Northumberland useful and most of the potential getting bespoke and pertinent applicants came with well-formed advice, it also saves the groups a project ideas. I will definitely attend lot of time when it comes to writing their applications. next year.” From our perspective we like to NCC Community Chest meet as many groups as we can and with a staff compliment of only 2 part-timers, these events mean that we can meet 18 or so groups in one afternoon. Meeting people face to face helps funders “I thought it was a very well managed event, and there was gather ‘intelligence’ on the local some real potential in some of my visitors. Regarding the area and it also gives us ten minutes turnover time – this is hard to judge, as it’s opportunity to network with more than enough for some groups, but nowhere near NCVA staff and other funders.” enough for others, depending on the complexity of their Sir James Knott Trust request. I find ten minutes just right, as it stops you getting bogged down in details, which can be sorted out if needed by telephone/email later if needed.” Greggs Foundation Funding Training courses provided: “This was a useful “Very useful. I had Bid Writing & Beyond reminder of the key already acquired some “From having little Newbiggin by the Sea Dec 2014 processes in looking for knowledge by appreciation of the More than £2.1m raised by groups following funding advice from NCVA Newton & Bywell Mar 2015 and applying for attempting applications funding process, I now Berwick Oct 2015 funding. The course but this has put me on feel confident that I was presented in an the right track.” have the tools to More than £4.8m raised by groups with support other than funding advice Better Bid Writing informative way, which Cath Coldbeck successfully approach Bardon Mill June 2015 allowed space for North East Pensioners’ funders.” discussion.” Association Seaton Sluice June 2015 Iain Jamieson Sue Chapman MS Society “Excellent event that Bellingham July 2015 “It was useful to talk to funders and Core Music/Forum Cinema complemented the bid-writing Ashington Oct 2015 “This course provided get a clearer understanding of “Most useful. I think it’s important event. It makes sense now!!” how they work and what is re- information about for attendees to know that trusts Andy Clark Stocksfield June 2016 quired for grant applications.” are there to help.” research I was Glendale Amateur Boxing and Fitness Ashington Sept 2016 Janet Applegarth Stephanie Moore unaware of.” GoLocal Food Ltd. Mandell’s Coffee Pot “The event helped our Minsteracres Nov 2016 Fiona Calder “Very well organised – it organisation to really focus on Berwick Feb 2017 North Northumberland was good that the funders exactly what our strengths and Voluntary Forum knew a bit about our skills are. Identifying our needs Writing Bids: Keep it Simple & Succeed project before we sat has sharpened our clarity on Ashington Oct 2017 “Fantastic! Thought down.” why our organisation is so provoking – really, really vital.” Berwick Oct 2017 Jean Lawrence helpful.” St Mary’s Church Janet Walton Acomb Nov 2017 “Very informative and Anon Newton by the Sea “Very well organised, and six Preppies Youth theatre helpful. Massive help in Shilbottle Dec 2017 of the funders had grants expanding our funding relevant to our needs.” reach and lots of advice Julie Smith to take forward.” Bardon Mill & Henshaw Village Hall Gem McCallum Support to funders: Wansbeck Disability forum We have also supported some funders to deliver their own funding training and advice sessions, including: Community Foundation Roadshow Sisters & North Steads Wind Farm Community Benefit Fund Belford Nov 2015 Widdrington Nov 2015 What funders say about our Funding Fairs: Blyth Feb 2016 Hadston Feb 2016 Felton Feb 2017 Widdrington Station Feb 2017 NCC Community Chest Advice Session Ashington Nov 2015 In addition we have responded to some specific requests for support from funders: The Ballinger Trust Big Lottery - Awards for All We have supported The Ballinger Trust to identify We have been involved in events to redesign the appropriate organisations that they could support Awards for All grant scheme including the criteria in Northumberland, this has led to several grants and application material. being awarded in Northumberland. Bigger Slice of the Cake Big Lottery We are involved in a regional group working to On two occasions we have organised visits for Big get more national funders to support groups in the Lottery Fund staff so they can understand the area North East. Through this group we were able to better and meet with some local groups. invite local organisations to a funding information session with 5 national funders. Governance Training provided: Introduction to being a Trustee “Excellent content Ashington Nov 2014 “Comprehensive and and presentation. informative” Thank you.” Governance for Trustees John Ashdown “I think the course would be Helen Birkey Ashington Dec 2014 Bedlington Creatives useful for all trustees.” Blyth Town Team Belford Mar 2015 “Friendly Gordon Cameron atmosphere. Gained Rothbury Recreation Club Newton & Bywell Oct 2015 lots of knowledge. A lot “The support gave an of ground covered.” Introduction to Governance understanding of the ANON exact meaning of the Ashington Nov 2015 constitution. Extremely well Committee Skills Training “Valuable and explained so that I Ashington July 2017 informative.” was able to fully Michael Nicholson understand the points As part of a review of our training made. Thank you.” offer at the end of year 2 of the ANON commission, we have also provided tailored governance training sessions in response to need when delivering in- depth support with individual groups. Other training provided: This has worked particularly well since Managing Volunteers Sept 2014 it allows the sessions to be tailored to Step by Step Guide to Commissioning & Oct 2014 the individual requirements of a group. Procurement for VCS Organisations Understanding and Using an Outcomes Focus Oct 2014 How Can You Keep Your Data Safe? Nov 2014 “Enjoyed the interactive Create Your Own Website Dec 2014 nature of the learning. Interesting examples and Sustainability Training June 2015 delivery. Lots to take away Effective Problem Solving for Small Organisations July 2015 and consider through Managing Change Sept 2015 planning and executing change.