Developing Lead Body bids

Voluntary sector networks developing lead body bids/networking with specialist sectors (Warrington and Cheshire)

Transforming infrastructure funding - challenges

1. Lack of consultation re funding pot so youth participation marginalised

- open conference needed to discuss
- problems re competition
- young people being marginalised re projects e.g. unemployment

2. New infrastructure companies springing up with no background and no involvement of working or involving young people

- volunteers expected to meet JD's for 2 or 3 days per week
- need for tried and tested methods and outlining level of expectation for volunteers
- no centralised training or structure for volunteers

3. Retention and support improving re volunteers

- this difficult for stretched profession and paid workforce
- no progression to paid work for volunteers
- lack of safety and quality of work for volunteers who are under skilled for complex tasks
- lack of funding for training of volunteers
- no government definition of 'volunteers'
- benefits put as risk if people don't agree to be volunteers
- employers using volunteers instead of paying staff

Must be progresson and benefits for volunteers - government and Big Society don't understand

Is there a future for youth workers?

- Lack of local funding for volunteers in youth work for training
- Gap re value-based youth work
- Networks needed to deliver/protect value-based youth work training

How can we strategically move youth work provision and training?

- More PR needed to policy makers re lobbying through various strategic partnerships
- Evidence for payment by results
- Evidence needed at local & national level e.g. by trading our training and skills with youth people
- Young people need to be heard

Featured News

14 May 2013

Supporting influence on health and wellbeing boards

Regional Voices, of which VSNW is a partner, is pleased to announce that it has been awarded funding from the Department of Health (Innovation, Excellence and Strategic Development Fund) to support voluntary and community sector influence on health and wellbeing boards

25 April 2013

New report - Effectiveness of European Social Fund delivery

The Department for Business Innovation & Skills has published the findings of a research study on European Social Fund delivery with the aim of informing thinking around the next round of programmes

24 April 2013

List of North West Local Healthwatch Contacts

Healthwatch England was formed in April 2013 and is the independent consumer champion for health and social care in England. They have now published a list of local Healthwatch, including those for the North West

23 April 2013

How to Sustain an Effective Local Healthwatch Organisation

The Local Government Chronicle held a webinar to explore the essential elements to ensure local healthwatch organisations are effective in scrutinising local health services and provide a voice for communities. Regional Voices, of which VSNW are a part, are mentioned.  

26 March 2013

NAVCA analysis of Transforming Local Infrastructure

An analysis has been published by NAVCA of the 74 areas that received Transforming Local Infrastructure and provides a national perspective, and allows the sharing of information and ideas

Contact Us

Voluntary Sector North West
St. Thomas Centre
Ardwick Green North
Manchester
M12 6FZ
Tel: 0161 276 9300
Fax: 0161 276 9301
Email: info@vsnw.org.uk