A Christmas Message from the Turret

/in /by

I would like to take this opportunity to wish everybody a festive Christmas and a peaceful and bright 2023.
It’s been another year of dramatic change across the UK and in Northamptonshire, but I don’t want to focus on COVID, the cost of living crisis or the sustainability of the sector, all of which we know much about – and you don’t need to hear it again from me.
This message is to reinforce on a very human level the fantastic individuals and organisations I come across every day. One of the privileges of being an Infrastructure CEO is I get to scan the horizon and talk to lots of different people – and the breadth and depth of the sector is amazing.
It seems to me that in difficult times, our projects and programmes become more inventive, and that’s a testament to the quality of the people within the sector, their drive and determination.
Whilst 2023 might be another year of change and transformation, keep heart in the work the sector does and its impact on communities. Every piece of support, however small or seemingly imperfect makes a difference.
As Vince Lombardi once said:
Perfection is not attainable, but if we chase perfection we can catch excellence.

The VCSE Integrated Care Portal

/in /by

This Portal which gives a VCSE organisation all the latest information on the Integrated Care System (ICS) is now live.

It can be accessed here: https://vcse-ics.co.uk/

If you are interested in any aspect of the ICS, then visit this site regularly. It will update you on the various meetings which take place and provide information on ICS progression in Northamptonshire.

The site is brokered by Voluntary Impact Northamptonshire with funding from the Lottery Community Fund.

If you feel it can be improved in any way simply contact us at info@voluntaryimpact.org.uk and place ICS in the header title.

Rural Prosperity Fund – Latest Update

/in , /by

West Northamptonshire Council have submitted their Addendum for the Rural Prosperity Fund by the due date of the 30th of November 2022.

Following several suggestions made by VCSE organisations, a small consultation session and an Analysis of Data two interventions have been identified. The first is to support local business providing capital grants, and the second is to address the rural challenges of transport.

The Council are awaiting a response to their Addendum but will be publishing their findings in the January 2023 cabinet.

 

A View from the Turret On VIN’s Lifetime Achievement Award

/in /by

Northamptonshire Community Foundation – Lifetime Achievement

I had the good fortune to attend the Northamptonshire Community Foundation Annual Awards Ceremony on the 8th of December 2022. Voluntary Impact Northamptonshire won a Lifetime Achievement Award, which I was honoured to accept on behalf of my staff team and the volunteers who support the organisation, including our capable Trustee Board. VIN has been around for 30 years, which is hardly a lifetime, but in terms of Infrastructure Support in Northamptonshire it shows a certain longevity against a backcloth of austerity and sporadic funding from our Local Authority Partners. I have said this on many occasions previously, but I will say it again: There is a direct link between Infrastructure and resilient VCSE organisations and communities. It is no surprise that where Infrastructure is well funded, VCSE organisations derive the benefit: Where these organisations derive the benefit, so do communities.

The Ceremony itself was fantastic. It was amazing to see the depth and breadth of our sector, and the work that people do. It seems to continue despite COVID and a Cost-of-Living Crisis, and if anything, projects are becoming more insightful and inventive: But, and there is a but, people cannot do this forever without support or capacity, and the grant programmes that the Foundation give are in many cases a lifeline. VIN has worked with the Foundation for many years, and I thank them for their past and future support: It has helped us to deliver projects and support communities.

Its nearly Christmas, and despite what’s going on in the external landscape, last night opened my eyes once again to the quality that exists within our sector. That motivates us at VIN to continue to advocate and represent where we can. The sector will be needed more than ever over the next few years, and my pledge to that sector is to continue to work, challenge and support for the best deal possible.

Mobile Sight Centre Officer

/in /by

Mobile Sight Centre Officer (24 hours per week)

Category C1 drivers licence required.£19,240-£23,088 (pro rata)

Download job description

This role is based at our Northampton Sight Centre in Kingsthorpe.

To apply please email a copy of your CV and covering letter (no more than two sides of A4) outlining how you fit the person specification to:

esther@nab.org.uk

Launch of the Local Area Partnerships (LAPs) for North Northamptonshire

/in /by

The ICS and North Northamptonshire Council are inviting VCSE Groups to the inaugural launch of the seven new LAPs, following on from the successful launch of the Community Wellbeing Forums (CWF) across North Northamptonshire. The CWFs are evolving in function from the existing Health & Wellbeing Forums in each of the four locality areas across North Northants (Corby, East Northamptonshire, Kettering, and Wellingborough) and connect directly to the North Northants Health & Wellbeing Board. This will enable them to contribute to the delivery of the improved population outcomes set out to support the ambitions of the Integrated Care Northamptonshire strategy and will operate with the support of Local Area Partnerships in each locality.  For those West Northamptonshire organisations that straddle both sovereign authorities VIN urges your attendance.

It’s an exciting time and all LAPs will be launched between 28th November and the 16th of December 2022.

East Northamptonshire Urban – Saxon Hall, Raunds 5th December 2022

1pm – 3pm

East Northamptonshire Rural – Fletton House, Oundle 16th December 2022

2pm – 4pm

Wellingborough Rural – Finedon – Community Centre 28th November 2022

3.30 – 5.30pm

Wellingborough Urban – Victoria Centre,  14th December 2022

11am – 1pm 

The purpose of the LAP launch event in each local area is to root these firmly in their locality and build a strong foundation for a bottom-up model of engagement based on community empowerment.

It is envisaged that each LAP will form a collective with its own personality to best address the needs of local people. However, some broad operating principles are likely to be as follows:

  1. Equality and inclusion are core principles– all voices are equal and need to be respected
  2. LAPs are accessible for all communities
  3. LAPs include all community voices – Community engagement for any priority issue identified must be demonstrated
  4. Respect all voices and views
  5. A “communities first” approach taken
  6. Any priorities identified need to have the support of local communities and partners

You are cordially invited to attend any of the LAP launch events that are taking place in geographical areas that you have a connection to.  The launch event details are included in the accompanying slide deck.

To confirm your attendance (please specify which LAP/LAPs), and agreement for your contact details to be used and shared in relation to the LAP meetings, projects and activities please email cheryl.bird@westnorthants.gov.uk

Financial and practical Cost-of-Living help for households

/in /by

West Northamptonshire Council (WNC) has worked with partners across the authority to offer a package of financial and practical support to help residents with rising costs of food, fuel, and essential daily items over the winter months.

Today they are announcing as available:

  • Financial help for low wage workers, households with children, and those most needing help towards rent, council tax, household bills including gas and electricity, childcare costs, and important daily essentials. This is funded by the third tranche of the Household Support Fund.
  • West Northamptonshire Council Online Cost of Living Support Hub
  • Cost-of-Living Support Line 0300 126 7000
  • Network and directory of 67 Warm Spaces across the whole county
  • Directory of food banks and larders across West Northamptonshire.

The full range of assistance can be found on the councils newly launched Cost-of-Living Online Support Hub which is full of information and advice about the rising cost of living to help all residents find support and help available to them.  The webpage is designed to be easy to navigate and contains lots of information on accessing grants, money and debt advice, government funding, wellbeing tips and links to local community organisations. The drop-down options are tailored to specific users and aim to make the information quick to find and easily accessible, without the need to scroll for a long period of time.

For those who cannot access the Internet, residents can also call the councils customer services team and speak to somebody directly about the support available between the hours of 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday. Please call them on 0300 126 7000.

The council has also worked with the public, private, health and voluntary sectors so that anyone who is feeling cold knows where they can go to stay warm and enjoy a little company this winter. Everyone is invited to the network of 67 Warm Spaces, non-judgemental, safe, and welcoming places where people in West Northants can come together to stay warm, and perhaps enjoy a hot meal or a cup of tea and a biscuit.

The Warm Spaces Directory can be found here.

In line with the council’s Anti-Poverty Strategy, financial help is also at hand for 17,620 households who will benefit from the £2,599,628 third tranche of the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) Household Support Fund announced last month.

Between now and March 2023 financial support will be available:

  • To households with children – A £15 voucher was available for October half term and further support will be provided over the Christmas break to families of children who receive free school meals.
  • To up to 4,000 households working but receiving a low wage – Online applications are now open to residents earning *£300 or less a week to receive payments totalling £250 into their bank accounts towards winter essentials. The first award of £125 will be credited to the applicant’s bank account at the point of approval of the application. The second payment will be credited to the same bank account 60 days later (without the need for a further application). To qualify you must be employed, have a valid bank account, live in the region, not been in receipt of the recent £650 government Cost-of-Living payments (£326 and £324) and be over 18. To apply visit:  Household Support Fund | West Northamptonshire Council (westnorthants.gov.uk)

    *After deductions and including any other benefits claimed. Those who have recently received the £650 government Cost-of Living payments are not eligible to apply. 
     
  • The council also plans to provide families with additional financial and practical Cost-of-Living help via community engagement, food banks and further emergency funding in the New Year. This support, which will be provided on a case-by-case basis, may be help towards rent, council tax, household bills including gas and electricity, childcare costs, important daily essentials.

Cllr Matt Golby, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care & Public Health, said: 

The rising cost of living is causing uncertainty, worry and concern for many of us right now, but we want you to know – you are not alone and there is lots happening both in the local community and nationally that can offer support.  

We understand it can be difficult to find out what support is available, so we have worked closely with partners to create a central hub of information to help with this.

It is vital that you, your family, and those you care about have the resources needed to live well. If you are struggling or would like to know more about the support you may be entitled to, please do pick up the phone or visit our support hub for more information.  

West Northamptonshire Council’s Anti-Poverty Strategy sets out how we will work with partners to support people struggling financially, what we will do to stop people falling into poverty and how we will work to get the best deal for the people of West Northants. This work is underway, and we are committed to its delivery.

It is important to note that Community Larders also run across West Northants by the Northampton Hope Centre and are manned by volunteers, providing an invaluable service for anyone facing hardship by providing donated and surplus food at discounted rates. They also support people by signposting them to other support services.

Find out information about other food larders run by the Northampton Hope Centre.

Food Aid Alliance West Northamptonshire (FAAWN) also helps people in food poverty through their network of over 40 foodbanks and social supermarkets in the West Northants area. https://goodfoodwnorthants.org/foodaidalliance.html

West Northamptonshire Council’s website will be updated if further funds released by the government become available.

Warm Spaces

/in /by

West Northamptonshire Council’s Anti-Poverty Strategy sets out they will work with partners to support people struggling financially, what they will do to stop people falling into poverty and how they will work to get the best deal for the people of West Northants.

Warm Spaces Directory:

 West Northamptonshire Council are working with local partners in the voluntary and community sector to create a network of Warm Spaces, a group of non-judgemental, safe, and welcoming places where people in West Northamptonshire can come together to stay warm, and perhaps enjoy a hot meal or a cup of tea and a biscuit. They have created a directory of all the places available to their residents across the public, private, health and voluntary sectors so that anyone who is cold knows where they can go to stay warm and enjoy a little company and some hot refreshments this winter.  For further information please view here Looking for warm spaces | West Northamptonshire Council (westnorthants.gov.uk)

Warm Welcoming Spaces Grant Scheme:

 There is also a Warm Welcoming Spaces Grant scheme to support the creation and or development of Warm Welcoming Spaces across West Northamptonshire to support residents struggling with fuel costs.  These awards can be made to Community, Voluntary Organizations and Registered Charities.  Please note that the minimum amount of grant that can be applied for is £500. The maximum grant that can be applied for is £1,500: Please contact Deb.burns@westnorthants.gov.uk for more information or a copy of the guidance notes appertaining to this fund.

Connecting Locally

/in , /by

NAVCA in conjunction with Sheffield Hallam University have produced a research report on the importance of Infrastructure Organisations like VIN.

The report and associated content can be seen here: Research project | NAVCA

The research demonstrates that local infrastructure responds to local needs, delivering a community-led approach to enable meaningful engagement, collaboration, and capacity building. Areas such as health, employment and education are all strengthened when there is a thriving local voluntary and community sector.

VIN Accounts 2022

/in /by

VINs AGM takes place on the 24th of November 2022 between 6PM and 7.30 PM at 15 St Giles Street NN1 IJA.

Our Annual Snapshot can be viewed here

Our Annual Accounts can be viewed here

If you wish to attend the AGM, please contact Sophie.negus@voluntaryimpact.org.uk