Charity No: 287732 Company No: 1604168. A charitable company limited by guarantee. Annual Report 2009/2010 Voluntary Action Swindon is the local Council for Voluntary Services Swindon s local support and development organisation
Voluntary Action Management Team Trustees J Hawkins - Chair (elected October 2009) T Odoire A Nix N Ramruttun M Khan - co-opted December 2009 M Brown - co-opted March 2010 S Sahu - Treasurer T Charnock - resigned October 2009 H Thompson - resigned July 2009 Staff Members Bryan Hutchinson - Chief Executive Officer (started August 2010) Matthew Pearce - Interim Chief Executive Officer (started August 2009, left July 2010) John Phipps - Training/Trustee Network Development Worker David Sudworth - Office Manager Seniz Ismet - Voice Development Officer (started November 2009) Shanaz Qaddus - Finance Officer Jo Osorio - Strategic Development Consultant (started August 2009) James Brown - LINk Development Officer(started January 2010) Gill Welsman-Clarke - LINk Administrator(started January 2010) Hilary McPherson - LINk Support Worker (left August 2009) Steve Milner - Interim LINk Development Officer (started March 2009, left August 2009) Paula Gorry - LINk Administrator (left October 2009) Geoffrey Lutaaya - Chief Executive Officer (started October 2008, resigned July 2009) Voluntary Action Swindon was formed in 1932 as the Swindon Council of Social Service, administering help to the unemployed and disadvantaged. Voluntary Action Swindon has a unique role serving as a mediator between the public sector and the third sector. Voluntary Action Swindon contributes significantly in bringing the diverse sections of our community together, promoting the wider engagement and participation of the third sector in the Swindon Strategic Partnership and Local Area Agreement. Our strategic aims are: To improve the capacity and quality of voluntary and community organisations To facilitate liaison and collaboration within the voluntary and community sector and between the voluntary, public and private sectors To enable voluntary and community organisations to gain greater access to information, practical support services and facilities To identify and prioritise the needs of local communities and develop appropriate responses Find out more: www.vas-swindon.org VAS on facebook VAS SWINDON for photos of our events and groups Follow us on Twitter VASWINDON for the latest news
VOLUNTARY ACTION SWINDON APRIL 2009 - MARCH 2010 From the Chair - Judith Hawkins After a majority decision of the Trustees it was decided not to continue with the proposed merger with Community First but to re-launch Voluntary Action Swindon to serve the Voluntary and Community Sector of the Borough of Swindon. During the year VAS saw two new trustees coopted onto its Board, Mansoor Khan and Max Brown. We had wished Helen Thompson well as she stepped down from the office of Chair to take up her studies. We said hello and then goodbye to Geoffrey Lutaaya in the post of Chief Executive Officer after Chris Lau s departure. We then bade Tom Charnock well as he stood down as interim Chair whilst we embraced Matthew Pearce s dedication to Swindon and enthusiasm for the Voluntary Sector as interim Chief Executive Officer. Our property, 1 John Street, was placed on the market in the hope of selling and moving to modern premises but a hopeful contract failed to come to fruition at the eleventh hour. We are looking to the future and replacing the infrastructure post that was lost with posts of Funding Adviser and Governance Adviser which we hope, in the long-term, will provide a seamless service to the Voluntary and Community Sector on setting up a Registered Charity, Governance and Indemnity, recruitment and training of trustees and matching funding requirement to applicable streams. We will be seeking Building Regulations Approval to convert 50% of the first floor of 1 John Street into a Conference Facility with meeting rooms and office space in the centre of Swindon town, available at a reasonable price for the Voluntary and Community Sectors. Hot-desking and IT facilities will be available along with a far more professional and reliable publishing service. With the support of our members we are aiming to provide the services and assistance the Sector needs, within the financial constraints of the time, whilst we look to working collaboratively and in partnership with other agencies to the benefit of the Sector overall. Over the course of the last year, the funding climate has continued to be challenging on both the national and local level. Voluntary and community groups have found it increasingly difficult to acquire the funding that they need, and thus have been compelled to develop new and more creative methods of raising funds. Additionally, voluntary and community groups have had to adapt to the local authority s increased propensity towards using the commissioning and tendering process for the receipt of funding. The Gateway Project employs outreach workers to identify and locate new and existing groups that stand to benefit from increased infrastructure support. The Gateway Project provides generic advice, signposting and support to voluntary and community groups, by improving learning and the sharing of knowledge, helping with strategy and action planning, improving long-term sustainability, and improving operating skills. The Gateway Project particularly focuses on six neighbourhood renewal areas in Swindon, and from 2009-11 aims to help 90 existing and emerging voluntary groups which are not already benefiting from infrastructure support services. The Gateway Project is delivered by Voluntary Action Swindon in partnership with the Volunteer Centre Swindon, Community First, and the Charities Information Bureau South and West. These partners are accountable to, and monitored by, the wider Empower Swindon infrastructure consortium.
The VOICE Project aims to strengthen the voice of those in the voluntary and community sector. To this end, VOICE workers undertake community development outreach work to identify and support new existing groups, organise community engagement activities, ensure that the voluntary and community sector is represented on key partnerships and sector specific partnerships, organise training courses and workshops, and operate an online database of voluntary and community groups, which the groups can sign up to free of charge. From the Chief Executive Officer - Bryan Hutchinson Looking forward to 2011 and beyond I believe we have an exciting future as VAS helps increase voluntary action in Swindon. Thank you to all the volunteers in Swindon, for what you do. Indeed if everyone helped one person more, Swindon would be a better place. VAS was formed in 1932 as the Swindon Council for Social Services, administering help to the unemployed and disadvantaged. In its 77 years of its existence, the organisation has been at the forefront of social and community action and support in Swindon. Over the years the name has changed, and the remit has advanced to face the challenges of an ever changing society. VAS increasingly serves the voluntary and community sectors of Swindon through capacity building support, represents their interests and provides a voice for them in policy making. We act as the link between the public sector and our partners in the voluntary sector through the Swindon Strategic Partnership, the Local Area Agreement, and the Swindon Compact. As well as continuing to achieve the targets set for our existing projects VAS looks to become a UK Online centre, enabling us to provide free computer training to the general public. We are also applying to the government s Future Jobs Fund programme which will enable us to recruit staff on six month contracts on three occasions in the next eighteen months. Gateway Project - John Phipps This BIG Lottery funded project began at the end of July 2009 providing information about the range of support services available from the four partner organisations and how to gain access to them. Over 60 groups were helped by the project to improve their operations. Initial assessments being made and follow up help given when and where required. Aspects covered included funding advice, setting up and running a group, volunteering issues and youth activities. Several newly formed groups were given guidance in setting up and putting basic structures into place to enable successful future planning A training programme of 20 training sessions was held for the year with 202 individuals attending. These included Implementing an Outcomes Approach, First Aid, Health & Safety, Lone Working and Fire Safety. Swindon Trustee Network - John Phipps Voluntary Action has continued to support the Trustee Network via Capacitybuilders funding. The Trustee Network has flourished with five meetings being held between May 2009 and February 2010.
These have enabled members to share ideas and information and raise issues amongst themselves and with invited guests. It was not possible to hold a Trustee Network Open day this year but a session is planned on Tax efficient donations in April 2010. Voice Development - Seniz Ismet Within the first year of the new VOICE contract, a contract which aims to strengthen to Voice of the voluntary and community sector, we have seen the launch of the new VAS Directory a vital tool to connect voluntary associations, bodies, charities and groups with people who may require their services, or with people who may want to get involved in some way. The new on-line directory has over 1050 groups listed and will allow people and partners to search and locate voluntary and community groups in Swindon, with direct links to their sites. Smaller groups without their own website will have an internet presence without going to the trouble and cost of having a website created. The directory hosted by Voluntary Action Swindon (VAS) will ultimately provide us all with a clear picture of groups and services, as well as capture the diversity of groups and services provided in Swindon today. It s a great tool and source of information for all to tap into, and will as a platform, a starting point for the voluntary and community sector and statutory partners to build on, and in some cases encourage stronger partnership working amongst voluntary groups and other partners. We have also seen the introduction of VAS ID, a weekly e-bulletin which provides a snap shot of key sector news, training information, as well as key information about community events and activities this really is a bulletin for the community by the community so please continue to feed in your news to the VAS team. Voluntary News has also been a great tool to keep members informed with key information as well as links to partner agencies that ultimately support the work of the voluntary and community sector. This first year also saw VAS host two BIG Lottery funding workshops which has since evolved with VAS supporting the Bible Society in developing the Swindon Fundraisers Group, which aims to provide organisations with new ideas on how to raise funds, how to explore fundraising opportunities, as well as opportunities to meet organisations who may provide fundraising services, and other voluntary and community organisations in the local area. Links are also being developed with the Institute of Fundraising South West to support this vital area. The re-launch of the Voluntary and Community forums have hosted a wide range of key speakers providing a wide range of information around Media tools and tips, the Arts in Swindon today, key funding sources and streams information provided by BBC Children in Need, the Big Lottery, Swindon Borough Council, as well as information about local projects like the Advocacy & Buddy Scheme, a programme to support and /or engage with more disabled people. There were also locally based presentations around Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults, an area that can touch all of our lives. As a result of the recent forums we have seen an increase of 67% in attendance. We are always looking at ways to improve the forums and have recently introduced a question card system for speakers to address any unanswered questions all forums are based and shaped on the feedback received for participants at each event, so all comments, suggestions and feedback are always welcome.
Empower Swindon Empower Swindon is a consortium made up of organisations which offer support to voluntary and community sector and social enterprise organisations in Swindon Borough, of which VAS remains the accountable body. Its Vision is to have a diverse and thriving Third Sector for Swindon. Its Mission is to provide and enhance effective support services to Swindon s Third Sector and to enable it to develop a stronger voice and better service delivery. Its Aim is to be responsible to the changing needs of frontline Third Sector organisations by coordinating the delivery of support services that are accessible, inclusive and high quality. CapacityBuilders provided funding support that enabled the consortium to make a successful funding application to the Basis fund. Swindon Local Involvement Network - The LINk Each local social services authority has been required by the Department of Health to commission a host organisation to support the development of a Local Involvement Network or LINk. VAS tendered successfully and has held a three year contract from Swindon Borough Council since June 2008. The LINk literally a network of individuals and organisations with a small steering group at its centre - has the challenging task of Promoting and supporting the involvement of people (any or all people in the borough of Swindon) in the commissioning, provision and scrutiny of local health and adult social care services. Making these views known and making reports and recommendations about how local care services could or ought to be improved to people responsible for commissioning, providing, managing or scrutinising them. The role of the Voluntary Action Swindon as host is to enable this to happen. VAS managed the 112,000 LINk budget received under the contract. During the year one full time and two part time employees undertook much of the engagement and involvement work. They provided administrative support and developmental advice to the steering group and LINk participants; and the VAS team successfully met a number of key performance indicators. The bulk of the funding met staffing and office costs with the remainder towards LINk participant expenses, conferences and publicity. The LINk steering group s own annual report about its work was published, as required, by the end of June and is available on the website at www.swindonlink.org During the year the team included Steve Milner, Hilary McPherson and Paula Gorry (until August 2009); and Jo Osorio (from August 2009), Gill Welsman-Clarke and James Brown (from January 2010) all three of whom remained in post at 31 March 2010. Social Care - Mary Stevens MBE JP, Chairperson Once again the economic climate has led to a vast increase in the number of applications to Social Care for help, also increasing prices for the items we supply means we have had to limit the number of people that we are able to assist.
Applications come from all sections of the community and over the many years I have been associated with the committee we have seen changes in both the needs and circumstances of those who apply. When I first joined the committee in the 1970's the majority of applicants were from the older generation, now the majority come from young families, living on low wages or benefits who have the added burden of disabled or sick children, we are also seeing more applications on behalf of patients with mental health problems who are now released into the community to live independently, but with no grants or provision to buy the most basic needs, beds, cookers and floor coverings etc. Unfortunately we are now very low on funds and seem unable to obtain funding as we have in the past from local industries and charitable organisations, with the exception of the Swindon and Highworth Lion's Clubs who have been extremely supportive and generous. So if anyone reading this, knows of a group or company who may be prepared to give financial help to individuals who are in desperate need, then I would love to hear from you. My grateful thanks go to the members of the committee for their hard work over the past year, we also send thanks to the team at John Street for their support and backup. COMMITTEE MEMBERS 2009/10 MARY STEVENS MBE, JP- CHAIR NORMAN SEWELL - VICE CHAIR SALLY MORETON - NURSERY NURSE JANET JENKINS-HEALTH VISITOR LION'S CLUB REPRESENTATIVES JOHN HAMILTON - SWINDON PETER CHAPPELL - SWINDON CEDRIC KEARSLEY - SWINDON RODNEY DAVIS - HIGHWORTH Financial Report April 2009 - March 2010 Restricted funds Balance at 1/4/2009 Incoming Resources Transfers Balance at 31/03/2010 Hawksworth Revenue account 1,150 (680) - 470 Social Care 3,959 (1,906) - 2,053 RTCP, VOICE and BASIS - 28,694 (20,839) 7,855 SBC Link 42,405 3,083 (32,016) 13,472 Capacity Builders 7,658 2,331 (4,586) 5,403 Dalmatians 350 - - 350 55,522 31,522 (57,441) 29,603 Reserves Policy The Trustees have examined the reserves policy in the light of the predominant risks to the charity. The reserves are required to cover late payment, loss of grant aid funding and other shortfalls of income so as to ensure full and timely delivery of, or appropriate exit from, planned programmes and ongoing provision of services. A policy has been established whereby unrestricted funds, not committed or invested in tangible fixed assets held by the charity, should be four months of running costs. A designated sum of 70,000 has been set aside for the property maintenance fund and a further 55,000 for the operational reserve fund. A designated sum of 10,000 has been set aside for the property fund, which will allow Voluntary Action Swindon to identify new premises and pay for surveyors and architects, when appropriate. Voluntary Action Swindon will continue to build reserves through planned operating surpluses.
Financial Report April 2009 - March 2010 Unrestricted Restricted 2010 2009 Incoming Resources Charitable Activities Donations 48 1,750 1,798 322 Grants receivable 1,800 235,165 236,965 216,805 Community print 19,057-19,057 15,073 Training/Conference 3,440-3,440 10,571 Generated Funds Rental income 30,394-30,394 32,241 Other income 18,898-18,898 17,135 Investment Income 286 3 289 13,501 Total incoming resources 73,923 236,918 310,841 305,648 Resources expended Charitable Activities 124,860 204,261 329,121 217,176 Generated Funds - - - 10,679 Governance Costs 8,344 1,135 9,479 9,860 Total resources expended 133,204 205,396 338,600 237,715 Transfers between funds 57,441 (57,441) - - Net income for the year/net (59,281) 31,522 (27,759) 67,933 movement in funds Fund balances at 1/4/09 297,557 55,522 353,079 285,146 Fund balances at 31/3/2010 295,717 29,603 325,320 353,079 Fixed assets Tangible assets 121,640 100,137 Current assets Stock 1,141 1,175 Debtors 9,301 41,025 Cash at bank and in hand 244,819 256,907 255,261 299,107 Creditors: amounts falling due 31,226 46,165 within one year Net current assets 224,035 252,942 Total assets less current 345,675 353,079 liabilities Income Funds Unrestricted funds General fund 160,717 162,557 Designated fund 135,000 135,000 Restricted funds 29,603 55,522 325,320 353,079 Auditor:- Chris Vaughan Reeves & Co., Argyle Commercial Centre, Argyle Street, Swindon, SN2 8AR