Capacitybuilders Newsletter - Winter 2006/7

• Welcome by Chair Chris Pond
• Influencing government policy
• 3rd Sector – Delivering 4 Community events
• ChangeUp: a temperature check
• The shape of things to come
• Positive associations
• An update on Capacitybuilders’ funding programmes
• What to look out for in the coming months

 Capacitybuilders Newsletter - Winter 2006/7 1Mb

Capacitybuilders listens to the sector: Destination 2014

The consultation process on Destination 2014, which closed at the end of March, has ensured that a wide range of voices from across the sector have had their say, feeding into the development of the strategic framework, which aims to identify the priorities Capacitybuilders should adopt to meet its vision and achieve its strategic objectives by 2014.

At the launch of the consultation on the 7 December 2006, Capacitybuilders’ Chair, Chris Pond stressed that “the objectives and targets set out in the document are carved in polystyrene and not in stone” and since December a range of communication channels have been open for people to feed into the consultation in a way that suits them:

A series of 10 regional consultation events have been welcomed and well attended by over 750 delegates from across the sector. The events included interactive workshops for attendees to discuss and feedback on key themes within Destination 2014. Lunchtime sessions with ‘talking walls’ also provided an accessible way for people to feed in comments on the future provision and requirements for National Support Services – currently delivered by the National Hubs.

Many more comments have been fed into the consultation through the dedicated ‘Blog’ site – www.destination2014.org.uk - and email and postal responses have also been very active. Simon Hebditch commented; “The response has been terrific, I would like to thank everyone that has taken the time and trouble to get involved in the consultation. It has been a really valuable experience and we have been encouraged that there is wide support for what Destination 2014 is setting out to achieve. Our job will now be to take the feedback and shape it into a shared document that accurately reflects the needs of the sector ”

Next Steps : Destination 2014

During April and May, Capacitybuilders will ‘unpack’ all of the comments and feedback from the Destination 2014 consultation, and through a series of internal workshops looking at the key consultation themes, it will shape the revised strategic framework.

In June Capacitybuilders will aim to feed back, to everyone that has been involved in the consultation process, the main themes that have been identified and explain why the revised document has taken the shape that it has. This revised ‘Destination 2014’ document will then be launched at Capacitybuilders’ Annual Conference on 3rd July at the Botanical Gardens in Birmingham.

Next Steps : National Support Services

The National Hubs were reviewed last autumn and Capacitybuilders agreed to offer future national support services to the sector on the assumption that this was endorsed through the consultation exercise. It was also decided that the role of main contractor for any future services would be re-tendered.

Feedback from the consultations will of course be taken into account and if sufficient endorsement for the idea is secured then Capacitybuilders aim to be in a position to tender for these services over the spring / summer period.

The specification for any proposed national support services will go out for a separate consultation and draw on expertise from various sources.

Simon Hebditch commented; “To be clear, Capacitybuilders could come to the conclusion that National Support Services are not required beyond March 2008, in which case the tender programme would be cancelled. We are at the stage where nothing has been finalised and all options are currently under consideration.”

Capacitybuilders and ChangeUp: Destination 2014

The consultation on the document 'Destination 2014' was launched at the Capacitybuilders Vision into Action event on 7 December 2006 held at the RAF Museum in London. The event was attended by over 180 delegates from the voluntary and community sector. Minister for the Third Sector, Ed Miliband was in attendance as keynote speaker, along with Capacitybuilders Chair, Chris Pond and Chief Executive, Simon Hebditch. The meeting itself was chaired by Catherine Johnstone from RAISE, who facilitated an informative question and answer session from delegates.

Capacitybuilders now plans to work in consultation with third sector organisations on the development of Destination 2014 before agreeing a final version of the document. Capacitybuilders wants to listen to the views of the sector and is encouraging involvement in a number of ways, including through a series of regional consultation events.

Destination 2014 - Regional Consultation Events:
The consultation will run until the end of March 2007. Regional consultation events have been organised in the new year for ChangeUp Consortia, other infrastructure organisations and other organisations with an interest in capacity building, for the sector to feed in their views.

These events will also provide information and an excellent networking opportunity for local, sub regional and regional consortia members and interested infrastructure agencies. See events page.

To find out more about the consultation and to download a copy of Destination 2014 and the consultation questionnaire, please visit destination2014.org.uk

 Destination 2014 - QuickGuide 48k

The NCVO have produced a short briefing, which sets out their initial reactions to the draft strategic framework and discusses some of the key issues emerging and their possible implications.

Infrastructure Investment Plans Collation and Analysis (Oct)

On taking over the ChangeUp programme from the Home Office in spring 2006 Capacitybuilders commissioned the Good Foundations Consultancy to collate data and analyse what had been funded and achieved through the ChangeUp programme. The work was completed by 31 July 2006 and a final and full report with recommendations presented to the Capacitybuilders Board.

This report helps Capacitybuilders understand the current state of development and formulate the strategic plan up to 2014.  The final report has now been published. The Board’s response to the recommendations will be published before the end of November 2006.

The full report, consists of 4 sections :

 ChangeUp IIP Analysis - Aims, summary and recommendations 85k

 ChangeUp IIP Analysis - Main Report 340k

 ChangeUp IIP Analysis - Regional Perspectives 330k

 ChangeUp IIP Analysis - Appendices 157k

 

Capacitybuilders Newsletter - Summer 2006

• Welcome by Chief Executive Simon Hebditch
• Capacitybuilders funding programmes
• Building a picture of VCS activities across the UK
• Capacitybuilders welcomes new third sector Minister
• Launching Capacitybuilders
• Who’s who at Capacitybuilders
• Handing over... moving forward together
• National Hubs - supporting infrastructure across England
• What to look out for in the coming months

 Capacitybuilders Newsletter - Summer 2006 384k

ChangeUp Hubs Review

Capacitybuilders have appointed an independent consultant to review the hubs, to assess whether their structure and services best meet voluntary and community organisation needs.

The fundamental questions to be asked in the review are:

• what do local, sub-regional and regional voluntary and community organisations need from a national set of services if indeed they are required?
• what is the best way of delivering such services?

The review report has been delivered to the Capacitybuilders Board and will be published on 13 September. A final decision on the review of the Hubs will be taken on 22 Nov and will be published with implications and timescales in early December.

>> MORE ON HUBS REVIEW

VCS Area Profiles

Knowledge and understanding of local voluntary and community organisations could increase dramatically as a result of a new project aimed at mapping the sector, through the creation of Voluntary and Community Sector Area Profiles.

Project leaders NAVCA are promoting the use of a toolkit - a tested and standardised approach that will enable infrastructure organisations to profile their local voluntary and community sector.

>> MORE ON AREA PROFILES

 Getting to Know your Local Voluntary and Community Sector - Developing VCS Profiles 682k

ChangeUp Quarterly Newsletter - Issue 4

Update from the Home Office Active Communities Directorate (ACD) on progress, events and good practice in the national ChangeUp programme:

• Capacity Builders Update
• Focus on Yorkshire and Humber
• Clinks Regional Information and Skills Project
• Diversity & Equality

 Issue 4 Newsletter - Acrobat (79k) or Word (244k) formats

National Infrastructure Modernisation Fund

Launched in December 2005, this Fund aims to aid national infrastructure organisations modernise their working practices, facilities equipment and accommodation and therefore reflect work already taking place through the ChangeUp regional programme.

The following organisations have been offered grants as a result of successful funding applications:

• 4Children (formerly Kids' Clubs Network)
• ACEVO-Association of Chief Executives of Voluntary Organisations
• adviceUK
• British Association of Settlements And Social Action Centres (BASSAC)
• Campaign for Learning
• Charity Trustee Networks
• Community Hub
• Connections Communications Centre
• Gingerbread
• National Council for Voluntary Youth Services (NCVYS)
• Ruralnet/UK
• Student Volunteering England
• Tenant Participation Advisory Service (England)
• The National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO)
• YouthNet UK

net:gain Funding for Centres Across England

Second stage funding to deliver the net:gain programme has been announced for 14 UK online centres across England.

Adding to the 16 centres already awarded funds during stage 1 selection proceeding, a total of 30 centres spread across all 9 Government Office regions of England will receive support to deliver net:gain.

Newly onboard are centres from the North-West, East of England and Yorkshire and Humberside.

This support initiative will enable these centres to help local Voluntary and Community Organisations to develop and implement strategic plans for ICT effectively through a simple, hands-on approach.

The first step on the ladder for awarded centres will be to prepare a business plan to deliver the programme. Centres will receive training in net:gain workshop delivery and will by given face-to-face support from a net:gain mentor to help prepare for their first workshops in May.

Capacitybuilders Developments (April 2006)

Capacitybuilders opened for business at its new base in Birmingham on Monday 3 April.

Prior to this, members of the Board and Simon Hebditch, the agency's Chief Executive, held a number of regional consultation sessions on the early priorities of Capacitybuilders.

The first task of Capacitybuilders will be to manage the £70 million ChangeUp programme, a major investment in support for voluntary and community organisations.

 Capacitybuilders Strategy - Fit for Growth - 740k

 Capacitybuilders Launch Press Release - 20k

Launch Event

Capacitybuilders was launched on 3 April at the International Convention Centre in Birmingham by Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Home Office, Paul Goggins MP, with over 280 representatives from the voluntary and community sector in attendance.

Former government minister and Chief Executive of One Parent Families, Chris Pond, is chair of Capacitybuilders and commented in his opening speech: “this is a great opportunity for voluntary and community organisations which we believe they will embrace. The government's support of the sector in launching Capacitybuilders is a sign of its commitment, ensuring that voluntary and community organisations have the funding that they need to fulfil their potential and offer even more aid to the people they serve.”

Chief Executive Simon Hebditch unveiled Capacitybuilders' strategy showing how the funds will be distributed and the objectives achieved. Simon commented: "it is essential that voluntary and community organisations working on the frontline have access to resources and expertise to help them improve their services to communities and individuals in need."

Capacity Builders Developments (Feb 2005)

Capacity Builders is based at Paradise Circus in Birmingham, the office is about 700 yards from New Street Station.  A small number of staff will be there from mid February.

The agency will build a team of about 25 staff. A resources and planning director will lead a team focused on the internal operation of the agency and the programmes director will lead a team focused on supporting the ChangeUp programme which will include regional co-ordinators and grants officers.

Simon Hebditch, chief executive of Capacity Builders, started his role on 30th January.  The response to the advertising campaign for the resources and planning director, programmes director and communications manager has been strong. Interviews for these posts commenced on the 31 January, and the appointments will be announced shortly.

The Capacity Builders board have now met four times and begun discussions on their strategic approach. In order to commence a dialogue about ChangeUp, and inform their own thinking on how it should be taken forward, board members are coming to each region during February and March to meet a small number of stakeholders. These meetings are being arranged by Government Offices. The board are also meeting representatives from the national hubs of expertise.

Capacity Builders launch event will be on Moinday 3 April at the International Convention Centre in Birmingham.

Contact details: Capacity Builders, 77 Paradise Circus, Birmingham B1 2DT; Tel 0121 237 5100; Email: david.hallam@capacitybuilders.org.uk

The website will be at www.capacitybuilders.org.uk

Capacity Builders Board & Chief Exec Appointed (Nov 2005)

The new team to run Capacity Builders, the agency charged with fund managing the £150 million ChangeUp programme, has been announced by the Home Secretary, Charles Clarke.

Headed by new Chair Chris Pond and Chief Executive Simon Hebditch, the focus of Capacity Builders will be to implement the ChangeUp investment programme, designed to build capacity and infrastructure framework for the voluntary and community sector.

Commenting on the appointments, Home Office Minister Paul Goggins said:

"We have assembled an impressive team to implement the Home Office's flagship ChangeUp programme. The Government places a high value on the voluntary and community sector and on the time, talents and passion invested up and down the country in making a real and positive difference to people's lives. Capacity Builders, through the ChangeUp programme, will support organisations in the VCS and harness these talents to play an even greater role in society."

New chair of Capacity Builders, Chris Pond, said:

"I am very pleased to accept this challenging opportunity as the Chair of Capacity Builders. I know that a lot of useful work has already gone on under the ChangeUp programme and I am keen to work with colleagues and partners in the VCS to build on this momentum and make a significant difference to the support available to front-line VCS organisations."

Biographies of the appointees can be seen in:
 Capacity Builders Board and Chief Executive Appointed (Nov 2005) 39k

ACD ChangeUp Quarterly Newsletter - Issue 3 (Nov 2005)

Update from the Home Office Active Communities Directorate (ACD) on progress, events and good practice in the national ChangeUp programme:

• ChangeUp Logo
• Continuation Fund
• Partners in Reducing Re-offending
• Hubs - Links and News
• Workforce Hub
• Capacity Builders Appointments
• Diversity Strategy Implementation
• National Infrastructure Modernisation Fund

 Issue 3 Newsletter - Acrobat (75k) or Word (235k) formats

ACD ChangeUp Quarterly Newsletter - Issue 2 (Jul 2005)

• Capacity Builders: a stakeholder conversation
• Capacity Builders Update
• Governance Hub gets the go-ahead
• ChangeUp in Greater Manchester
• Department of Health - Consistency Project
• Local networking? Yes please!
• PERFORM - an outcomes-focused performance improvement framework for VCS infrastructural organisations

 Issue 2 Newsletter - Acrobat (52k) or Word (76k) formats

ACD ChangeUp Quarterly Newsletter - Issue 1 (Mar 2005)

• Joining up ChangeUp Event
• ChangeUp Progress - regional, national, exemplars, BME, next steps
• Contact Details for ChangeUp National hubs
• ChangeUp Public Sector Priority Programme contacts
• Communities Group Policy Contacts In Government Offices

 Issue 1 Newsletter - Acrobat (101k) or Word (310k) formats