The London Voluntary Service Council (LVSC) has released a manifesto for the new London Mayor to recognise and value the VCSE sector.
For London to lock in and leverage these economic, social and personal benefits the VCSE sector needs a workable plan built around the following proposals:
Ensure that the VCSE sector is recognised and included in GLA policy and delivery
Co-produce a London VCSE strategy
Collaborate on the implementation of equalities practice
Innovate GLA commissioning and procurement
Facilitate private sector donations to VCSE groups
Embed the benefits of digital technology.
LVSC annual review 2013 -14 contains highlights from the events and projects we ran last year including two short videos talking about the impact of their project. There is also a round up of performance rated stats and facts. As well as a sincere thank you to our funders for their support.
Highlights from the last year - the London Voluntary Service Council looks back our achievements. 2 new projects launched, setting up of United Way London, our response to the 4 G rollout across the UK. Watch 3 of our members of staff review the impact of VSC Assist, PEACe HR network and building the capacity of local groups to rise to current challenges through London for All.
The Central West London Training and Employment Network brings together Voluntary sector providers working in training and skills across 12 London boroughs. Its chair Clarissa Stoneham outlines how LVSC's VCS Assist project helped the network providing advice, timely information on funding/commissioning, and a platform for networking and collaboration on events.
Write up of the first of two hustings on the London Mayoral campaign. Homelessness; Housing; Digital Disadvantage; Hate Crime; Disenfranchising Young People; and questions around levels of support from the New Mayor and the London Assembly were up for discussion. The parties were represented by Baroness Liz Barker (Liberal Democrat Party), Caroline Russell (Green Party), Sam Malik (Conservative Party) and Fiona Twycross (Labour Party), with Francis Sealey from Globalnet 21 as Chair.
Londoners, work and the voluntary and community sector (VCSE)
The VCSE sector plays an important role in employability provision, delivering integrated, specialist
services that providers in other sectors will not or cannot deliver. However, reduced funding and increased demand has led to a protracted period of significant instability for the sector.
Many organisations have responded to these pressures proactively. However, there is a serious danger that the more VCSE organisations focus on revenue generation, the more they will lose the distinctive characteristics which make them effective providers. Most concerning of all is the evidence of VCSE organisations closing or scaling back services, leading to greater levels of unmet need.
Stonewall Housing CEO Bob Green describes the support LVSC provided to help his organisation raise awareness of LGBGT community needs in health and housing in London.
Within the interfaith organisation Faith MAtters, the Tell MAMA project measrues and monitors specifically anti - Muslim hate incidents and crimes. One of Jeff Arnold's responsibilites is to develop partnerships across all sectors - particularly with those voluntar organisations providing support to victims and witnesses of crime. Jeff explains the support and impact LVSC's forum The London Vicims and Witness Alliance provided.
LVSC annual review 2013 -14 contains highlights from the events and projects we ran last year including two short videos talking about the impact of their project. There is also a round up of performance rated stats and facts. As well as a sincere thank you to our funders for their support.
Highlights from the last year - the London Voluntary Service Council looks back our achievements. 2 new projects launched, setting up of United Way London, our response to the 4 G rollout across the UK. Watch 3 of our members of staff review the impact of VSC Assist, PEACe HR network and building the capacity of local groups to rise to current challenges through London for All.
The Central West London Training and Employment Network brings together Voluntary sector providers working in training and skills across 12 London boroughs. Its chair Clarissa Stoneham outlines how LVSC's VCS Assist project helped the network providing advice, timely information on funding/commissioning, and a platform for networking and collaboration on events.
Write up of the first of two hustings on the London Mayoral campaign. Homelessness; Housing; Digital Disadvantage; Hate Crime; Disenfranchising Young People; and questions around levels of support from the New Mayor and the London Assembly were up for discussion. The parties were represented by Baroness Liz Barker (Liberal Democrat Party), Caroline Russell (Green Party), Sam Malik (Conservative Party) and Fiona Twycross (Labour Party), with Francis Sealey from Globalnet 21 as Chair.
Londoners, work and the voluntary and community sector (VCSE)
The VCSE sector plays an important role in employability provision, delivering integrated, specialist
services that providers in other sectors will not or cannot deliver. However, reduced funding and increased demand has led to a protracted period of significant instability for the sector.
Many organisations have responded to these pressures proactively. However, there is a serious danger that the more VCSE organisations focus on revenue generation, the more they will lose the distinctive characteristics which make them effective providers. Most concerning of all is the evidence of VCSE organisations closing or scaling back services, leading to greater levels of unmet need.
Stonewall Housing CEO Bob Green describes the support LVSC provided to help his organisation raise awareness of LGBGT community needs in health and housing in London.
Within the interfaith organisation Faith MAtters, the Tell MAMA project measrues and monitors specifically anti - Muslim hate incidents and crimes. One of Jeff Arnold's responsibilites is to develop partnerships across all sectors - particularly with those voluntar organisations providing support to victims and witnesses of crime. Jeff explains the support and impact LVSC's forum The London Vicims and Witness Alliance provided.
The presentation was a workshop at Evolve 2014: the annual event for the voluntary sector in London on Monday 16 June 2014.
This presentation was chaired by Terry Perkins, Development Officer (NAVCA).
Find out more about the Evolve Conference from NCVO: http://www.ncvo.org.uk/training-and-events/evolve-conference
Find out more about the work NCVO does around funding: http://www.ncvo.org.uk/practical-support/funding
A presentation on User-Led Organisations. This was done at the NCASC 2012 in Eastbourne, done jointly with research in practice for adults and the Strengthening DPULOs Programme.
Bill Freeman, Chief Executive, Community Transport Association
The Commission on Travel Demand is an expert group established as part of CREDS (Centre for Research into Energy Demand Solutions) to explore how to reduce the energy and carbon emissions associated with transport.
The E-Reps Forum is an annual event in Aberdeen with the objective of improving environmental performance through workforce engagement. The Forum is an informative mix of industry presentations, workshops, networking and a technology showcase. www.erepsnetwork.com
Asset Transfer unit Transforming Communities 23rd Marchpodnosh
Carrie Weekes of the Development Trust Association and Al Bell of Community Matters present on their contribution to the Community Asset Transfer development programme in Birmingham and the role of the Asset Transfer Unit - including lessons from other area of the country.
They were speaking in Birmingham on March 23rd 2010 which was part of the learning from the Birmingham City Council Community Asset Transfer development Programme funded by AWM, which began in January 2009 and ran through until March 2010.
see
http://www.communityassettransfer.com
In this State of the Borough, we share an:
• Introduction setting the scene
• Overview of the challenges the borough faces, the progress we’ve made and
delivery we’re planning next
The appendix outlines
• Evidence that underpins work on each of the pillars for Towards a Better Newham
• Case studies of what we have done as a council to tackle the challenges
• Stories from residents who have benefited from these activities
• Commitments we have made on what we will deliver going forwards
The presentation was a workshop at Evolve 2014: the annual event for the voluntary sector in London on Monday 16 June 2014.
This presentation was chaired by Terry Perkins, Development Officer (NAVCA).
Find out more about the Evolve Conference from NCVO: http://www.ncvo.org.uk/training-and-events/evolve-conference
Find out more about the work NCVO does around funding: http://www.ncvo.org.uk/practical-support/funding
A presentation on User-Led Organisations. This was done at the NCASC 2012 in Eastbourne, done jointly with research in practice for adults and the Strengthening DPULOs Programme.
Bill Freeman, Chief Executive, Community Transport Association
The Commission on Travel Demand is an expert group established as part of CREDS (Centre for Research into Energy Demand Solutions) to explore how to reduce the energy and carbon emissions associated with transport.
The E-Reps Forum is an annual event in Aberdeen with the objective of improving environmental performance through workforce engagement. The Forum is an informative mix of industry presentations, workshops, networking and a technology showcase. www.erepsnetwork.com
Asset Transfer unit Transforming Communities 23rd Marchpodnosh
Carrie Weekes of the Development Trust Association and Al Bell of Community Matters present on their contribution to the Community Asset Transfer development programme in Birmingham and the role of the Asset Transfer Unit - including lessons from other area of the country.
They were speaking in Birmingham on March 23rd 2010 which was part of the learning from the Birmingham City Council Community Asset Transfer development Programme funded by AWM, which began in January 2009 and ran through until March 2010.
see
http://www.communityassettransfer.com
In this State of the Borough, we share an:
• Introduction setting the scene
• Overview of the challenges the borough faces, the progress we’ve made and
delivery we’re planning next
The appendix outlines
• Evidence that underpins work on each of the pillars for Towards a Better Newham
• Case studies of what we have done as a council to tackle the challenges
• Stories from residents who have benefited from these activities
• Commitments we have made on what we will deliver going forwards
A helping hand: Enhancing the role of voluntary, community and social enterpr...London Assembly
The London Assembly Economy Committee investigated the role of voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) organisations in employment and skills programmes in the capital. Read this summary of the report, which includes a number of key recommendations.
Community development - a different way to think about local economiesJulian Dobson
This is a presentation given to the Local Government Information Unit's economic development learning network in London on 26 January 2010. I was asked to explore how community development and economic development are linked and the implications for economic development practitioners of a community development approach.
Social value: from procurement to co-production Julian Dobson
With the Public Services (Social Value) Act about to become law in England, why are public services taking so long to factor social value into service design? This presentation looks at the policy context and some of the pitfalls.
The role of Government in the Social EconomyOECD CFE
The capacity building seminar will gather the main stakeholders who are concerned with building conducive ecosystems for social enterprises: policy makers and administrators, networks of social enterprises and social economy actors, social finance players.
GMSVN Introduction and strategic development in GMMacc-Manchester
This presentation was delivered by Matt Jackson from CLES and Anne Lythgoe from Salford City Council on behave of Greater Manchester Social Value Network at a conference on Sept 15th 2016
This presentation looks at commissioning for social value: an interim report produced for the Children’s Partnership in March 2014.
For more information on commissioning for social value: http://blogs.ncvo.org.uk/2014/04/07/top-tips-on-commissioning-for-social-value/
How can design thinking enable cultural change in organizationRenzo D'andrea
This personal research project is an attempt to explore cultural change in organisations through an adapted Design Thinking approach. The scope of the research is the public organisation of the Croydon Council. During the three months work experience, the researcher could observe the change management process within which the organisation was going through. The motivation for developing this project was focused on how to create a sustainable and positive impact when the organisational change happened. The uncertainty and complexity that organisations must handle is inherently increasing. The demand to reframe the outlook with fresh tools is essential to enable a variety of approaches.
Qualitative and observational approaches were employed during the experimental action research. Eleven qualitative interviews across the Croydon Council organisation unfolded the interpretation of the resources employed throughout this journey. As a result of it a workshop - ‘Behavioural Change & Design Thinking with the Leaders’ - was designed for the interviewees to participate in a different approach to engagement. The workshop’s objective was to test the qualitative research findings. It was also planned to challenge the participants through exercises that could generate a behavioural change.
The programme was developed with the Croydon Council Organisational Development team. Two organisational change practitioners evaluated the workshop. The workshop showed how to take more in consideration a human-centred approach to the organisational cultural change journey.
What is Our Way Ahead?
An OPEN event to build voice, agency and grassroots infrastructure at a
time of crisis and division.
The Great Hall TR1-04, Holloway Campus, London Metropolitan University, 166-220 Holloway Road, London N7 8DP
After nearly four years, having worked with over 2,000 organisations, held over 600 events, attended by over 5,000 people and impacting on the lives of many thousands more Londoners, the London for All programme will be ending. The five partners – Women’s Resource Centre, LASA, the HEAR network, Race on the Agenda and LVSC – have identified four areas as priorities for future working: organisational support, research, learning, communication and influence.
Since we were founded in 1910 LVSC has championed the VCSE sector and enabled a co-ordinated voice to influence policy makers. We support London's 60,000 voluntary. community and social enterprise sector organisations who provide a range of services and activities to London’s diverse communities and empower the lives of Londoners.
How LVSC's PEACe HR advice service provided support to Kate Brown, CEO of Learn English at Home - a small charity working to support local families to learn English.
Do you work for VCSE organisation and do you sit on a cross sector board or partnership? If the answer is yes, then you will be interested in the excellent presentation with slide notes by Ross Diamond, Director of Redbridge CVS.
"Raising The Voice Of The VCS On Partnership Boards" was delivered by webinar on 24th June 2014 through the London For All programme.
Nigel Farren from Energise London CIC was co - presenter of LVSC's webinar Spiralling energy bills and ill health. This presentation will help you identify residents in fuel poverty.
Russian anarchist and anti-war movement in the third year of full-scale warAntti Rautiainen
Anarchist group ANA Regensburg hosted my online-presentation on 16th of May 2024, in which I discussed tactics of anti-war activism in Russia, and reasons why the anti-war movement has not been able to make an impact to change the course of events yet. Cases of anarchists repressed for anti-war activities are presented, as well as strategies of support for political prisoners, and modest successes in supporting their struggles.
Thumbnail picture is by MediaZona, you may read their report on anti-war arson attacks in Russia here: https://en.zona.media/article/2022/10/13/burn-map
Links:
Autonomous Action
http://Avtonom.org
Anarchist Black Cross Moscow
http://Avtonom.org/abc
Solidarity Zone
https://t.me/solidarity_zone
Memorial
https://memopzk.org/, https://t.me/pzk_memorial
OVD-Info
https://en.ovdinfo.org/antiwar-ovd-info-guide
RosUznik
https://rosuznik.org/
Uznik Online
http://uznikonline.tilda.ws/
Russian Reader
https://therussianreader.com/
ABC Irkutsk
https://abc38.noblogs.org/
Send mail to prisoners from abroad:
http://Prisonmail.online
YouTube: https://youtu.be/c5nSOdU48O8
Spotify: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/libertarianlifecoach/episodes/Russian-anarchist-and-anti-war-movement-in-the-third-year-of-full-scale-war-e2k8ai4
Up the Ratios Bylaws - a Comprehensive Process of Our Organizationuptheratios
Up the Ratios is a non-profit organization dedicated to bridging the gap in STEM education for underprivileged students by providing free, high-quality learning opportunities in robotics and other STEM fields. Our mission is to empower the next generation of innovators, thinkers, and problem-solvers by offering a range of educational programs that foster curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking.
At Up the Ratios, we believe that every student, regardless of their socio-economic background, should have access to the tools and knowledge needed to succeed in today's technology-driven world. To achieve this, we host a variety of free classes, workshops, summer camps, and live lectures tailored to students from underserved communities. Our programs are designed to be engaging and hands-on, allowing students to explore the exciting world of robotics and STEM through practical, real-world applications.
Our free classes cover fundamental concepts in robotics, coding, and engineering, providing students with a strong foundation in these critical areas. Through our interactive workshops, students can dive deeper into specific topics, working on projects that challenge them to apply what they've learned and think creatively. Our summer camps offer an immersive experience where students can collaborate on larger projects, develop their teamwork skills, and gain confidence in their abilities.
In addition to our local programs, Up the Ratios is committed to making a global impact. We take donations of new and gently used robotics parts, which we then distribute to students and educational institutions in other countries. These donations help ensure that young learners worldwide have the resources they need to explore and excel in STEM fields. By supporting education in this way, we aim to nurture a global community of future leaders and innovators.
Our live lectures feature guest speakers from various STEM disciplines, including engineers, scientists, and industry professionals who share their knowledge and experiences with our students. These lectures provide valuable insights into potential career paths and inspire students to pursue their passions in STEM.
Up the Ratios relies on the generosity of donors and volunteers to continue our work. Contributions of time, expertise, and financial support are crucial to sustaining our programs and expanding our reach. Whether you're an individual passionate about education, a professional in the STEM field, or a company looking to give back to the community, there are many ways to get involved and make a difference.
We are proud of the positive impact we've had on the lives of countless students, many of whom have gone on to pursue higher education and careers in STEM. By providing these young minds with the tools and opportunities they need to succeed, we are not only changing their futures but also contributing to the advancement of technology and innovation on a broader scale.
Jennifer Schaus and Associates hosts a complimentary webinar series on The FAR in 2024. Join the webinars on Wednesdays and Fridays at noon, eastern.
Recordings are on YouTube and the company website.
https://www.youtube.com/@jenniferschaus/videos
What is the point of small housing associations.pptxPaul Smith
Given the small scale of housing associations and their relative high cost per home what is the point of them and how do we justify their continued existance
This session provides a comprehensive overview of the latest updates to the Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (commonly known as the Uniform Guidance) outlined in the 2 CFR 200.
With a focus on the 2024 revisions issued by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), participants will gain insight into the key changes affecting federal grant recipients. The session will delve into critical regulatory updates, providing attendees with the knowledge and tools necessary to navigate and comply with the evolving landscape of federal grant management.
Learning Objectives:
- Understand the rationale behind the 2024 updates to the Uniform Guidance outlined in 2 CFR 200, and their implications for federal grant recipients.
- Identify the key changes and revisions introduced by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) in the 2024 edition of 2 CFR 200.
- Gain proficiency in applying the updated regulations to ensure compliance with federal grant requirements and avoid potential audit findings.
- Develop strategies for effectively implementing the new guidelines within the grant management processes of their respective organizations, fostering efficiency and accountability in federal grant administration.
A process server is a authorized person for delivering legal documents, such as summons, complaints, subpoenas, and other court papers, to peoples involved in legal proceedings.
Canadian Immigration Tracker March 2024 - Key SlidesAndrew Griffith
Highlights
Permanent Residents decrease along with percentage of TR2PR decline to 52 percent of all Permanent Residents.
March asylum claim data not issued as of May 27 (unusually late). Irregular arrivals remain very small.
Study permit applications experiencing sharp decrease as a result of announced caps over 50 percent compared to February.
Citizenship numbers remain stable.
Slide 3 has the overall numbers and change.
2. London Voluntary Service
Council Manifesto 2016
LVSC is the collaborative leader of London’s voluntary,
community and social enterprise sector (VCSE). Since we
were founded in 1910, LVSC has championed the VCSE sector
and sought to enable a co-ordinated voice to influence policy
makers.
We support London’s 60,000 voluntary and community
organisations who provide a range of services and support
to London’s diverse communities and empower the lives of
Londoners. www.lvsc.org.uk
Our vision
LVSC’s vision is of a vibrant and sustainable city where the lives
of Londoners are enhanced through voluntary and community
action.
Our aims
• To be a central resource for knowledge and policy for the
London VCSE sector
• To act as a collaborative leader for London’s VCSE sector
• To enable the VCSE sector to best deliver for Londoners.
3. The role of our sector
The VCSE sector adds extraordinary value to Londoners, but this
public good which enriches so many lives is only achieving a
fraction of its potential.
In a recent report by the Royal Society for the encouragement
of Arts (RSA) the argument was made that by putting in place a
managed approach, it is possible to unleash far greater returns
on existing community activity, in order to bring about great
social, economic and personal benefits.
A flourishing VCSE sector enables positive contagion to ripple
out to achieve the following outcomes: healthier, happier
citizens; a stronger democracy; more resilient, better targeted
services; and sizeable economic savings.
This finding is supported by a report from the Community
Development Foundation (2014) that the VCSE sector makes an
invaluable contribution ‘to people’s lives and society by building
safer communities, improving the physical environment,
enhancing health and wellbeing and supporting local
economies ‘.
However the sector is at a crossroads, with funding being
squeezed and independence threatened. The right measures
undertaken by elected politicians and public policy makers will
enable the VCSE sector to support Londoners to thrive in spite
of the challenges of austerity.
The role of the Mayor
The next London Mayor must grasp this opportunity. For
London to lock in and leverage these economic, social and
personal benefits the VCSE sector needs the new Mayor to:
• Ensure that the VCSE sector is recognised and included in
GLA policy and delivery
• Co-produce a London VCSE strategy
• Collaborate on the implementation of equalities practice
• Innovate GLA commissioning and procurement
• Facilitate private sector donations to VCSE groups
• Embed the benefits of digital technology.
4. Ensuring that the VCSE sector is
recognised and included in GLA
policy and delivery
The need:
LVSC estimate that there at least 60,000 active VCSE
organisations, all of whom contribute to the wellbeing,
citizenship, capacity and economic vitality of London. Yet only a
fraction of this vast reservoir of largely unfunded local initiatives
feature in GLA policy and delivery programmes. At a time of
austerity, when every service is under pressure, the ability to
understand the scale of the VCSE sector contribution and put in
place the means to harness it must become an urgent priority.
In a period of austerity, people in these communities are facing
greater pressures on their time and capacity - they are ‘focusing
on just getting by day-to-day with no time or energy to connect
with others or take local action’
Community Development Foundation
Ensure that the VCSE sector is
recognised and included in GLA policy
and delivery
We ask the new Mayor to:
• Commission a thorough review of the social impact of the
VCSE’s activity
• Oversee and promote strategic GLA engagement with the
entire sector on future delivery of services
5. Co-producing a London VCSE
Strategy
The need:
It is vital that the GLA engages with the VCSE sector in a co-
ordinated, long term and strategic way. A strategic plan would
provide the fundamental building block needed to sequence
and harness the fullest possible benefits of VCSE sector activity.
It is equally important that a future plan be co-produced, as a
shared initiative and reflect the grassroots nature and diversity
of the VCSE sector. There is a window of opportunity to rectify
the absence of a GLA VCSE plan that must be grasped within
the first one hundred days of a new Mayor taking office.
More human government needs
one more thing: everyone’s engagement
Steve Hilton
London VCSE
sector strategy
We ask the new Mayor to:
• work with us to develop and prioritise sector engagement
• produce a viable VCSE strategy within the first year of
office/ by May 2017
• host an annual London VCSE Awards ceremony
• actively promote the recognition and celebration of good
practice in the capital
6. Collaborating on
implementation of equalities
practice
The need:
London has become a more unequal city in recent years and
the effects of widening inequality has had a negative impact on
all Londoners, contributing to a more stressful and unhealthy
environment. Studies have demonstrated that the greater the
levels of inequality, the higher the crime rate. LVSC calls on the
next Mayor to honour and uphold the rights and freedoms of
each individual, based on the core principles of dignity, equality
and respect; and for the GLA to move beyond mere compliance
to a more collaborative approach with the sector on this issue.
27% of Londoners live in poverty after housing costs are taken
into account, compared with 20% in the rest of England
London Poverty Profile 2015
Health and social problems are worse in more unequal societies
Wilkinson & Pickett: The Spirit Level
Implementation of
equalities practice
We ask the new Mayor to:
• appoint task and finish groups to work with VCSE
organisations
• mandate these groups to design and implement effective
equalities practice
• help ensure the productive collation of results from
equalities impact assessments
• oversee and rigorously monitor the translation of those
results into delivery plans
7. Innovating GLA commissioning
and procurement
The need:
The move to commissioning of services from VCSE organisations
in preference to the giving of grants has excluded the sector
from access to funds because of unsuitable commissioning
models. The focus on competitive bidding and lowest cost has
meant that larger providers, including global private companies,
have an immediate advantage but that the social and economic
value of VCSE activity is lost. Using contracting models and
developmental processes that enable skilled VCSE organisations
to collaborate, through alliances, consortiums and coalitions,
it is possible to unleash levels of value hitherto untapped by
commissioning processes.
Turning to the change in income from government over time,
organisations based in London… saw the largest proportional
falls in government income between 2011/12 and 2012/13.
National Council for Voluntary Organisations (2015)
Civil Society Almanac
GLA commissioning
and procurement
We ask the new Mayor to:
• work with us to modernise GLA commissioning
• ensure a balance between contract models and
developmental work with VCSE consortia
8. Making it easier for the private
sector to donate to VCSE
groups
The need:
Recent Comprehensive Spending Reviews have seen a dramatic
shortfall in funding to both public and VCSE sectors, whilst
government has signalled the need for organisations to diversify
their income streams to meet this challenge. The private sector
is frequently identified as a potential supporter of VCSE activity.
However the mechanisms and pathways to support this are
relatively undeveloped. The current approach to private sector
support relies on a few tried and tested formulas, such as
corporate social responsibility programmes and pro bono work.
This could be enhanced by empowering each private sector
worker to make a more immediate and direct contribution via
payroll giving and access to modern philanthropy.
We must encourage greater philanthropy. Social responsibility
from businesses needs to be the norm, so it is not seen as a
‘philanthropic act’ but as normal practice
Bharat Mehta, Chief Executive Trust for London
Facilitate private sector
donations to VCSE groups
We ask the new Mayor to:
• open a dialogue between LVSC and leading private sector
partners
• widen and facilitate opportunities for engagement
• increase access to philanthropists, guilds and related
associations
9. Spreading the benefits
of digital technology
The need:
The evidence has long pointed to the benefits of VCSE activity
in building social capital and quality public services in the
locality but studies have also shown the VCSE sector is a late
adopter of digital technology. The fact that the majority of
VCSE organisations have not grasped the full benefits of digital
technology affects their delivery. By putting in place measures
to bridge this gap, the wider social value and impact of VCSE
sector work can be safeguarded and maximised.
The number of charities with basic digital skills has dropped
from 45 to 42 per cent from a year ago… showing a continued
lack of digital adoption… The overall limited progress in
developing digital skills, reflects the fact that there is no
increase in the amount of investment organisations are making
to develop these skills, with three quarters (75 per cent)
investing no money at all
Lloyds Digital Index 2015
Embed the benefits of digital
technology
We ask the new Mayor to:
• broaden and extend the GLA’s digital inclusion strategy
• help ensure VCSE organisations are better connected
• Use new digital tools and apps to support the engagement
and mapping of VCSE networks
10. A call to action:
In recent years London has struggled with increased
inequality under the weight of austerity. Time and again VCSE
organisations have acted as a safety net. In the face of adversity
the VCSE sector has enabled thousands of people to overcome
the odds and to be resilient. By enacting the proposals in this
manifesto, we can transform our city so that it becomes a place
where our most vulnerable citizens not only survive but thrive.
11. Equality
It is the people who have direct experience of inequality and
discrimination who are best placed to develop strategies to
achieve equality.
Sources
Community Development Foundation (2014). Tailor-made: How
community groups improve people’s lives, [online], page 5
Available at http://tailor-made.cdf.org.uk/
Hilton, S. (2015). More Human. London: W H Allen, page 59.
Lloyds Bank. (2015). UK Business Digital Index, [online]
Available at http://resources.lloydsbank.com/insight/uk-business-
digital-index-2015-report.pdf
London Funders AGM and Panel Discussion 2015: The next five years
in London: What’s got to change?
http://londonfunders.org.uk/london-funders-2015-agm-and-panel-
discussion
London Voluntary Service Council. (2014). Statement of Inclusion,
[online], page 2.
Available at http://www.lvsc.org.uk/media/130141/lvsc%20
statement%20of%20inclusion.pdf
London Voluntary Service Council in collaboration with National
Council for Voluntary Organisations and Guidestar. 2016
Key facts on London’s VCS, [online]. Available at http://www.lvsc.org.
uk/media/28545/key%20facts%20on%20london%20vcs.doc
Royal Society for the encouragement of the Arts. (2015). Community
Capital: The Value of Connected Communities, [online], pages 7-9 and
68-72.
Available at https://www.thersa.org/discover/publications-and-
articles/reports/community-capital-the-value-of-connected-
communities/
Trust for London & New Policy Institute. (2015). London’s Poverty
Profile, [online] page 1.
Available at http://www.londonspovertyprofile.org.uk/press/
NCVO Almanac 2015 http://data.ncvo.org.uk/a/almanac15/
government/ (half way down – see variation by region)
Wilkinson, R & Pickett, K. (2010). The Spirit Level: Why More Equal
Societies Almost Always Do Better. London: Penguin, pages 19-20.
12. London Voluntary Service Council (LVSC), 200a Pentonville Road, London N1 9JP
020 7832 5830 info@lvsc.org.uk www.lvsc.org.uk
LondonVoluntaryServiceCouncil Twitter: @lvscnews
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