A Christmas Message from the Turret

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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