Cornwall Voluntary Sector Forum

Third sector advice, brokerage, communications & development

Welcome to Cornwall Voluntary Sector Forum

Sep 16

Posted by Mark Richardson in Support | 2 Comments

biglottery1esf_site_logoWelcome to the new website for the Cornwall Voluntary Sector Forum.

Cornwall Voluntary Sector Forum (cVSF) aims to be an umbrella organisation for all community and voluntary organisations working or based in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.

We aspire to act as the “voice” for the membership and the wider third sector at all levels on the various bodies whose services they deliver or support.

We are part-funded by the Big Lottery and the European Social Fund.  Cornwall Voluntary Sector Forum is a Charity Limited by Guarantee with Charity Number: 1111169 and Company Number: 05371203.

COUNCILS SHOULDN’T CUT OUT THIRD SECTOR IN EFFECIENCY DRIVE

Feb 2

Posted by chris in Policy | No Comments

Councils should consider the unique skills and benefits the third sector has to offer when improving local public services, Communities Secretary John Denham said in a keynote speech to the New Local Government Network. Mr Denham said councils shouldn’t ignore the social outcomes the third sector can provide such as jobs for the workless or better services, in the stampede the hunt down the cheapest deal.

Mr Denham will shortly be meeting with representatives from local government and the third sector to discuss the issue and look at how to ensure the third sector has the opportunity to play its part in the big issue of public service reform locally.

John Denham said:

“It does not make sense to exclude the many excellent voluntary and third sector providers. They may not offer the cheapest contract in terms of narrowly defined cost/benefit in the short-term. But they can deliver important additional social outcomes such as jobs for the workless and marginalised and better quality service which saves money in the long run.

“Third sector organisations – as well as groups of local public service employees and new private sector providers – must have the chance to show how they could deliver the outcomes local people want by new ways of working, and new ways of delivering services – not just asked to compete to deliver the current services at the lowest possible cost.

“I have a real concern that the third sector is not getting the opportunity to play its part in the big issue of public service reform locally. I have invited in representatives from local government and the third sector to discuss the issues and look at how we can address this.”

Your Voice

Jan 26

Posted by chris in Events | No Comments

Take Part Cornwall is organizing a free event titled ‘Your Voice’, jointly with Parliamentary Outreach Office, on 11.02.2010 at Kingsley Village, Fraddon. Please fill the booking form attached below and email it to bookings@cornwallvsf.org

 

The agenda of the day includes

  • An interactive question and answer session by the Speaker of House of Commons,

 

  • A ‘soapbox session’ whereby participants/beneficiaries of HE sessions on Active Citizenship (a Take Part Cornwall activity) will discuss their experience, and

 

  • A series of workshops on -
    1. ‘How your council works’ facilitated by Cornwall Council (Take Part Cornwall stakeholders)
    2. ‘How your Parliament works’ –  facilitated by parliamentary Outreach Office
    3. ‘Becoming involved in the community’ – facilitated by Penwith Community Development Trust (Take Part Cornwall project delivery partner)
    4. ‘Being active with Older People’s forums’ – facilitated by Age Concern (Take Part Cornwall project delivery partner)

 

http://takepart.cornwallvsf.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/Your-Voice-flyer-and-booking-form-11th-Feb1.pdf

Upcoming Survive & Thrive events

Jan 19

Posted by chris in Events | No Comments

Survive and Thrive is a free programme of training, events and ‘learning journeys’ for rural community organisations and social enterprises in the South West to help you build a better business, make more money and achieve better social and environmental impacts.

It is delivered by the Development Trust Association and funded by Capacity Builders. Please click on the links below to find out more about our current trips and make a booking.

Please note that places are limited. For more information about the programme, visit www.thrivingenterprises.net

Current events: All events are free to rural community organisations and social enterprises in the South West and bursaries are available to cover the cost of travel Read the rest of this entry »

Beyond Copenhagen

Jan 19

Posted by chris in Events | No Comments

CVSF Beyond Copenhagen Invite

We invite you to help reduce Cornwall’s Carbon Emissions over 2010.

 

The Cornwall Voluntary Sector Forum, Community Energy Plus and Cornwall Development Company have organised a free event on the 17th February 2010 with the aim to reduce Cornwall Voluntary Sector’s Carbon by at least 10% over 2010.

 

This event is specifically aimed at Senior Managers, Chief Executives and Trustees from voluntary organisations that are consuming a lot of energy – particularly those with an annual income of £½ million or over.

 

The event will be a series of Master Classes in the morning discussing solutions to major carbon producing activities; and also discussing the challenges faced by trying to change your organisation’s habits.   

 

In the afternoon you will have the opportunity to book in a 1:1 surgery with someone from Community Energy Plus and Cornwall Development Agency to focus on your specific issues and opportunities available.

 

So if you’re one of Cornwall’s Leaders and want to lead by example on the pressing issues of Climate Change, stay one step ahead of oncoming legislation – and reduce your energy bills, then this event is for you.

 

Please fill in the attached booking form at the top of the page.  You can print and post it should you wish – or simply fill in your details onto the electronic form and click the ‘submit’ button for it to be sent off via cyber space!

 

The deadline for booking onto this event is the 10th February 2010.

A new free service for Community Groups

Jan 19

Posted by chris in Asides | No Comments

The Rural Services Network would like to make our community members aware of a free service offered by the ATU to any community or voluntary organisation involved, interested in or considering taking on responsibility for a transferred asset.
 
The Asset Transfer Unit (ATU) helps to empower local people and organisations to transform land and buildings into vibrant community spaces whilst supporting the development of a thriving third sector. They claim to be the leading provider of expert advice, guidance and support concerning the transfer of under-used land and buildings from the public sector to community ownership and management – helping organisations to develop those assets and deliver long-term social, economic and environmental benefits.

The Unit is led and managed by the Development Trusts Association – the UK’s leading network of community enterprise practitioners – in association with Community Matters and the Local Government Association. It is funded by Communities and Local Government.

 
Details of the ATU’s free service to Community members can be seen by clicking here. 
 
 
We hope this may be of interest to some of you,

February courses from Cascade

Jan 19

Posted by chris in Featured | No Comments

Financial Management Demystified – 2nd February (Taunton) 

Trainer: David Hancock  Cost: £99

This course is designed principally for non-accountants in the Voluntary & Community Sector to help them understand the key elements of Financial Management. As the title implies, it will not be technical and requires delegates to have limited or no knowledge of the subject.  It should be particularly helpful to those who need to understand the finances of their organisation but feel daunted by the sheer weight of detail and jargon surrounding financial information and reporting requirements. The course will cover:

 

Strategic Planning for Trustees & Senior Management – Tuesday 9th February (Taunton)

Trainer: David Hancock  Cost: £149 **Masterclass Course**

This programme has proved very popular since it was introduced last year in response to a growing demand from trustees and senior management in the Voluntary & Community Sector for help in developing a framework for charting the future direction of their organisations. It is intended to offer participants a rare chance to spend time standing back from the day-to-day demands of running their organisations to look at the opportunities and challenges which may present themselves in the future.

 

Managing Conflict – Wednesday 17th February (Taunton)

Trainer: Debbie Jane (Pardoes Bevins)  Cost: £129

A one day workshop designed to equip you with new strategies and techniques for dealing with difficult relationships in the workplace – both with colleagues and/or service users. The day will include case studies and the opportunity to discuss specific challenges and conflict situations that delegates may be experiencing. By the end of the day you will be equipped with new and effective tools to use in your place of work.

 

Managing Performance & Dealing with Poor Performers – Wednesday 24th February  (Exeter) 

Trainer: Gillian Jeffery  Cost: £129                                                                    

This workshop is aimed at managers who currently supervise staff and are grappling with poor performance issues. We will address various examples of poor performance and absenteeism in the workplace and the impact on team morale. You will learn new strategies to ensure skilled staff are retained and how to motivate and support less focused staff.                             

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