Spring Campaign to tackle litter

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West Northamptonshire Council is springing into action to tackle litter across the area as it launches a new campaign to help reduce littering which blights our streets, roads, and green spaces.

Councillor Phil Larratt states:

It is disappointing that some people show such little regard for the environment and their local community that they drop litter wherever they like.We’re committed to tackling this issue, and it is always heartening to see the great work of our partners, officers and volunteers who work so hard to keep their communities clean and green. We want to do all we can to support their excellent work, as well as encourage and assist other groups to join them. By working together to clean our local area, we send a strong message that littering is anti-social and not acceptable.If you would like to hold litter pick in your community and support the community spring clean please get in touch with us to find out more about borrowing free litter picking equipment.

For more information click here: West Northants Council to tackle litter this spring | West Northamptonshire Council

Invite to Mental Wellbeing Support Workshop

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Following a review of current arrangements for promoting mental wellbeing, both West and North Northamptonshire have concluded that a more strategically aligned delivery option is required.

A joint letter from North Northamptonshire Public Health and West Northamptonshire Public Health was issued on 21st February 2024 stating that each Council would be making separate commissioning arrangements going forward, based on local needs and the specific prevention investment and delivery arrangements that operate in their respective unitary authority areas. In this letter West Northamptonshire Public Health stated that it was planning a half day workshop on Friday 15th March 2024 – 9:00am – 2:00pm at The Great Hall, St Andrews Hospital, Northampton, to work with the wider VCSE sector to co-produce their new service arrangements.

The overall aim of this half day workshop is to inform the development of a service specification and the service delivery arrangements for the VCSE to support the mental health and wellbeing of local people.  This will be achieved through Public Mental Health colleagues working with a variety of differing VCSE stakeholders.

The objectives of the workshop include:

•             Sharing a strategic approach for improving public mental health in the Council area.

•             Sharing key priority areas of the work programmes, which are evidence-based and cost-effective.

•             Sharing some of the principles that will underpin the new service arrangements.

•             Outlining the proposed timeline for the new arrangements.

•             Co-developing ideas on delivery approaches that address strategic outcomes and priorities.

Please see the below link for further details about the workshop and to book a place.

https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/westnorthantscouncil/t-xmjkjng

Join VIN on the 1st of May 2024 to discuss Collaboration on Health Inequality.

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VIN is being supported by NHS Partnerships England to deliver an event on Health Inequalities with specific relevance to the Local Area Partnerships and their Inequality themes.

This is a perfect opportunity for the VCSE, Local Authority and Health Practitioners to come together and discuss closer working relationships.

Being held at Kings Park Action Centre, with refreshments and lunch on the 1st of May 2024.

Book your space now by clicking on the attached link: Collaboration in Health Inequalities Tickets, Wed 1 May 2024 at 09:30 | Eventbrite 

If you are interested in involving yourself in the ICS and the Local Area Partnership Health Inequality priorities, or simply want to find out more on what’s happening then this is an event not to be missed.

There are only 60 VCSE spaces available and 21 have been taken already. So, book now to avoid disappointment.

The Road Ahead 2024

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NCVO have just released their latest publication entitled the Road Ahead 2024.

The publication cites the challenges that the VCSE sector faces, but also highlights the potential opportunities on offer.

NVCO identify 3 headline themes:

A general election brings uncertainty, inertia but also an opportunity to lobby and define a new space with central government.

Challenging economic times are set to continue with demand increasing and supply possibly restricting.

Charities must embrace innovate technology to perform their duties and deliver services to their beneficiaries.

Their insights can be viewed here: The Road Ahead 2024: Opportunities and challenges for the voluntary sector | NCVO

Public Trust in Charities

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Public trust and confidence is a governance challenge that all charities face, whether large or small.

NCVO note: 

Because the charity sector depends on donations and support from individuals, businesses, local and national government, and exists to deliver charitable purposes for public benefit, it’s imperative they demonstrate their impact and show that they are acting with integrity.

The latest Charity Commission research shows that charities saw a significant fall in public trust in 2016-18. Concerningly, at one point they were less well trusted by the public than an ordinary person in the street. However, headline trust in charities has recovered since 2018, while many other institutions have seen falls in trust in the last couple of years. As a result, charities are now more trusted than most other institutions, more than the police, but less than doctors.

Other headline themes include:

  • Negative actions by a single charity can impact the public perception of charities generally. When one charity mismanages funds, acts unethically or is involved in a scandal, it can affect charities everywhere.
  • While trust in charities has improved since 2016, there is still a gap between different communities. The most affluent and diverse communities have the highest trust in charities, while the least affluent and diverse communities have the lowest trust.
  • As a regulator, the Charity Commission is responsible for demonstrating the impact of charities to the public, and ensuring charities are acting within the law.
  • Public trust in charities is complex and nuanced but it’s especially impacted by how responsibly funds are used, whether they act ethically and whether they can demonstrate impact.

 

  • Trustee boards must ensure that they understand and can identify conflicts of interest.
  • Trustee boards should familiarise themselves with their statutory duties, as set out in the Charity Commission’s 5-minute guides.

VIN runs training courses on Trustee Governance, the Charity Governance Code and Demonstrating Social Impact. If any organisation requires a bespoke session on these subjects contact info@voluntaryimpact.org.uk in the first instance and we will be in touch.

Grant Funding for Volunteering – Round 3

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West Northamptonshire Council (WNC) has launched a third round of grant funding which aims to create additional volunteering opportunities in West Northants.

Local charities, voluntary or community groups, clubs, community interest companies, and not for profit organisations are invited to apply for a grant up to £1,500 to recruit new volunteers for use for projects which address a local community need.

For more information click here: Third round of grant funding launched to help recruit volunteers in West Northants | West Northamptonshire Council

Further information and the full criteria for applications can be found on the WNC website and in the Council’s Community Funding Grants Framework.

If you would like an application form or wish to speak to the Community Funding Grants Team about your project or your eligibility to apply for this grant simply E Mail: communitygrants@westnorthants.gov.uk including your contact telephone number. 

More information about the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) and Rural England Prosperity Fund (REPF) can be on the Gov website.

A View from the Turret On The Future Of Infrastructure Support

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The Future of Infrastructure Support

Voluntary Impact Northamptonshire, South Northants Volunteer Bureau and Daventry Volunteers have been in discussion with West Northamptonshire Council about the future of Infrastructure Support for the sector.Like most other areas of community-related work, a new contract will be open for Expressions of Interest in March of 2024, and again, like most other areas of VSCE support it’s likely to be financially less than is needed.This means that the way in which Infrastructure Support is delivered will probably need to change.The key areas of focus are:Ensuring that the Local Infrastructure Organisations remain a credible and reliable conduit of Representation and Voice for the sector.Ensuring that Local Infrastructure focuses on the support needs of micro and smaller organisations.Ensuring that Infrastructure focuses on Funding and Fundraising for micro and smaller organisations.Ensuring that Placed Based Volunteering remains a viable option for individuals.Whilst we at VIN have yet to think through the full ramifications of these changes, it does mean that we will focus all of our efforts on supporting the Power of Small Network that we began last year. And here’s the rub, on the funding available supporting an entire sector is nigh on impossible.Our training and resources will have to focus on Funding and Fundraising, and there is likely to be less subject choice available within our programme.It also means that the traditional form of Face to Face training might be replaced with Webinars and Podcasts, for viewing when smaller organisations have the time. VIN is aware of the capacity and resource issues faced by micro or smaller groups, so this might not necessarily be a negative change-point.And on volunteering, we will continue to broker as best as we can, but our emphasis will be on Local Area Partnerships and the Volunteering issues which derive from Place Based Solutions.VIN is entering into its next Strategic Planning Phase, simply because we have to. In these rapidly changing times, no organisation can afford to sit on its laurels. We are engaging with as many stakeholders as possible about how we can best support our sector, so please take 10 minutes to complete our survey which you can access byclicking here

Do you want to be a Trustee at VIN.

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Voluntary Impact Northamptonshire (VIN) is looking to expand its current Board by 2 new members. If you are interested in volunteering and want a Trustee role to develop your skills or abilities then we would be interested to hear from you.

Voluntary Impact Northamptonshire is a local charity and Infrastructure Organisation based in Northampton. It started life as a Volunteer Bureau and has developed over time to provide a range of services, including community advice, training, and support.

The current Trustee Board consists of 7 volunteers, and we are looking to increase that number.

For more information about our organisation please visit: www.voluntaryimpact.org.uk

Trustees are required to attend on average 6 Meetings per Year plus the Annual AGM. These are currently held virtually via Zoom or in person at our offices in St Giles Street.

 

Role Specification:

 

A commitment to the mission of Voluntary Impact Northamptonshire.

A willingness to meet the minimum time requirement.

An ability to think creatively and strategically.

An ability to work as part of a Board.

An ability to make decisions which are often difficult and challenging.

The board of Trustees collectively need skills and experience in the following areas:

Fundraising.

Marketing.

Human Resources.

This should not preclude volunteers from applying who do not possess the above skill sets. Our constitution allows us a Board of 15 as a maximum.

A basic induction is provided. For more information or an informal discussion please contact the VIN CEO on 07592 501770 or at Russell.rolph@voluntaryimpact.org.uk