1. Welcome
Supporting Voluntary & Community Action
!
November & December 2008
Inside
Voscur’s
Magazine
Bristol’s e-procurement
system explained
Create your own domain name
E-Learning and Moodles
Forthcoming Funders’ Fair
Funding
Voscurs – winners announced
Tackling Hate Crime
Image: Knowle West Media Centre
Equalities Network
Conservative view on
community empowerment

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3. Welcome
Contents
4 Editorial 20-21 Hate Crime
Tackling Hate Crime
5 Voscur News
Neighbourhood Learning 23 How To - ICT
Shadowing Scheme
Create your own domain name
Refreshed Voscur Board
Voscur staff ‘skilling up’ 24-25 How To - Funding & Finance
Bristol e-Procurement System (BePS)
6-7 The Voscur Awards Pre – Tender Questionnaire online toolkit
Awards to celebrate the work done
by the Voluntary, Community Funding Fair
and Social Enterprise sector in Bristol News from Quartet Community Foundation
8 What’s Happening in the Sector 26-27 How To - Good Practice
Community Development support Supporting you to support yourself
Equalities Network
28-29 How To - Green Pages
9-14 Have Your Say Green Christmas
Neighbourhood Partnership Seminar
Neighbourhood Partnership 30-32 Children & Young People
Residents’ Forum Action Research Project
New Bristol Partnership unveiled Voscur Reps
Vox Pops – Impact of the credit crunch
on charitable giving 34-35 Voscur Training & Learning
An effective voice for Disabled people e-Learning – Moodles
The Conservative view on Virtual Learning Environments
community empowerment
Bristol LINk 36 Diary
17 Volunteering Bristol
18-19 Equalities
Equalities and Human Rights
Commission funded research
Why not advertise? Thrive! is available on disc. Please contact
Special discounts for Voscur members! the office if you would like to
Deadlines for January 2009 Thrive!:
receive your Thrive! this way. The
2 December 2008 for ads, 16 December 2008 for flyers
Details of prices at www.voscur.org/magazine newsletter is also available online as a pdf
or phone Polly Stewart on 0117 909 9949 at www.voscur.org/magazine
Disclaimer: some of the views expressed in this publication are those of individual contributors and do not necessarily represent
those of Voscur. Publications, events and services mentioned in Thrive! are not necessarily endorsed by Voscur.
www.voscur.org 3

4. Editorial
Getting it Right
Wendy Stephenson reports on Voscur’s Annual Conference and
discusses representation at the Local Strategic Partnership
partnership working. The Media commissioning framework for
Trust talked about marketing of the the Partnership. The Partnership
sector. is responsible for delivering the
Local Area Agreement target
The Chief Executive of Bristol City Environment for a Thriving Third
Council, Jan Ormondroyd, told us Sector. Voluntary and community
about the difficult job of changing sector organisations must be
the culture of a large organisation in a position to influence and
so that it was more responsive and deliver services. It’s important,
flexible. therefore, that Voscur members
are represented at all levels within
Wendy Stephenson - Chief Executive The highlight of the day was the the Partnership.
Voscur awards which celebrated
“Professional, but warm and the excellent work of the sector in We don’t want to get caught up in
friendly” was one of the many Bristol and also recognised public processes, but getting the process
compliments that we received sector support. and structure right will make a
about our Annual General Meeting difference to the outcome. We
and Conference held at the The formal business of the Annual want to contribute to practical
beginning of October. Thanks very General Meeting saw four new partnership activities that make a
much to all of you who came and members elected onto Voscur’s difference to people in Bristol.
made it such a successful event. board, so that we now have a full
complement of elected board
Our first speaker, Councillor Helen members – an indicator of a
Holland used the inclusion of the healthy organisation. key to symbols
Environment for a Thriving Third
sector target in the Local Area It is usual Voscur practice to
Equalities
Agreement as an example of the announce our representatives to
Article
Council’s commitment to the the Bristol Partnership at our AGM.
sector. Discussing commissioning, We were not able to this year as
Councillor Holland talked about
grants existing in the future but
the Partnership was restructured
during the summer. We have now
? Training
‘not in the same way’, signalling seen the proposed new structure
change on the horizon. and will be working to make sure Resources
that the sector is fully involved as a
Workshops run by NAVCA, partner.
Bassac, and ProHelp helped us Event
look to the future in terms of Jan Ormondroyd has told us that
the commissioning agenda and she wants to see a transparent
4 www.voscur.org

5. Voscur
Voscur News
A Day in
the Life of…
Do you want to get a better
understanding of what a
Councillor does? Do you
want to understand how the New Voscur Board members Joanna Holmes and Red Cottam
council works and how you
can influence it? If so, why not Refreshed Voscur Board
take part in a Neighbourhood
Voscur is pleased to welcome Max Beseke, Red Cottam, David Elson and
Learning Shadowing Scheme?
Joanna Holmes to our board, all bringing different skills and experiences
to the mix. We are particularly pleased to have different neighbourhood
Following the successful Councillor
perspectives (Red and Joanna), alongside a tenants’ (David) view, and the
shadowing programme that Voscur
experience that Max brings from the advice sector.
ran early in 2008, Voscur is running
a new shadowing programme from
We are sorry to lose Ian Steele, who is stepping down as chair and board
January to March 2009. We are
member. He has been a great chair, bringing humour and direction to the
expanding it this year to include
role. Thanks also to James Carpenter who has also stepped down this year.
Councillors and senior managers.
For details of Voscur’s Board of Directors visit:
Why should you take part? This www.voscur.org/about/who
will give you the chance to
Skilling Up
shadow a Councillor or senior
manager for a day, and is a great
opportunity for you to gain a Sophie Bayley, Hannah Parker, Ruth Pitter and Wendy Stephenson have
greater understanding of how all completed the first year of the Diploma in Teaching in the Life Long
the Council works and the role of Learning Sector at City of Bristol College.
local councillors. You will also be
able to share your ideas about the
“It was great to be able to work as a team outside of the work environment
needs of your neighbourhood or
and improve and develop our skills together. The learning has been
community of interest.
really useful and will bring benefits to our members in that our training
For more information and learning events will be even better” explained Hannah Parker,
please contact Hannah Neighbourhood Learning Co-ordinator.
Parker on
0117 909 949 or e-mail:
hannah@voscur.org ? For further information on Voscur’s Training and Learning
opportunities visit: www.voscur.org/training
www.voscur.org 5

6. The Voscur Awards
and the winner is...
The winners of the first Voscur awards celebrating the fantastic and innovative work done by
the Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise sector in Bristol were announced at the Voscur
Annual Event on Thursday 2 October 2008.
The awards were presented by Bristol City Council Leader, Helen Holland and Chief Executive,
Jan Ormondroyd.
To see details of all the nominations for the 2008 Voscur awards visit www.voscur.org/voscurnominations
6 www.voscur.org

7. The Voscur Awards
Community Venue of the Year
Winner
Wellspring Healthy Living Centre, www.wellspringhlc.org
Runners up
Pickle Factory, www.snipurl.com/picklefactory
The Vassall Centre, www.vassallcentre.org
The Withywood Centre, www.withywoodcentre.com
Most Innovative or Engaging Project
Winner
BCFM Community Radio, BCFM Community Radio
Runners up
Clover House, www.cloverhouse.org
PIPA, www.hartwood.org.uk/pipanew
Refugee Awareness Project, www.refugee-action.org.uk
Most Active Community Activist
Winner
Ricardo Sharry
Runners up
Faaduma Mohammed,
Kai Paulden,
Marryanne Kempf,
Paulette North
The ‘I Will Survive’ Award
Winner
BREAD Youth Project, www.breadyouthproject.org.uk
Runners up
Werburgh’s Community Centre, www.stwerburghs.org.uk
St Pauls Afrikan Caribbean Carnival, www.stpaulscarnival.co.uk
Trinity Community Arts, www.3ca.org.uk
Thanks for Supporting the Sector
Winner
John Bos (BCC Community Buildings Officer)
Runners up
Sally Oldfield (BCC Local Nature Reserves Officer)
Claire Teasdale (BCC Arts & Festivals Officer)
BEST (Bristol East Side Traders), www.bristoleastsidetraders.co.uk
www.voscur.org 7

8. What’s Happening in the Sector
Who is Watering the Roots?
What community development support is
available to Bristol’s community groups?
In changing times when the talk is of commissioning
and social enterprise, regionalisation and
Human Rights on the Agenda
modernisation, I am reminded of my colleague at
the Black Development Agency, Ayannah Griffith’s
question, ‘Who is watering the roots?’. Promoting
Voscur’s Neighbourhood Learning programme this
year, we have missed the support of Neighbourhood
Facilitators (part of the Neighbourhood Renewal
programme). Bristol City Council Development
workers, previously supporting groups at a grass roots
level, are now part of the Community Engagement or
Community Cohesion teams, which have a different
focus.
Through Bristol City Council investment and the Qaiser Razzak will be at the next Equalities Network meeting
Capacitybuilders funded ‘Sustaining the Sector’
programme, Voscur and Black Development Agency Equalities Network
are able to provide some one to one support to 25 November, 10am – 12.30pm
smaller groups and Voscur’s Neighbourhood Learning
Programme will reach out to neighbourhood groups. The next Equalities Network meeting will include
As part of the programme we are running the course, a presentation by Qaiser Razzak, manager of the
‘Ideas into Action’ for those who have an idea or want Equalities and Human Rights Commission, English
to change something and want to know how to set up regions, South West office.
a group.
The event will be held in the Terrace Room, the
We want to know: If you are a small group looking for Lighthouse Building, Barton Hill Settlement, Ducie
support; If you know of a group of people coming Road, Bristol BS5 9JH.
together to try and achieve something locally; Are
there local issues not being addressed A hot lunch will be provided so booking is essential.
Let us know and we will see what we can do.
Email: info@voscur.org with the subject ‘Needs’
‘Turning Ideas into Action!’ 4 and 11
? November, Beacon Centre, Russell Town
Avenue, Bristol BS5 9JH, 6 – 9.00pm. Cost:
Email: emma@voscur.org
Tel: 0117 909 9949
Free. Rebekah Hacker on 0117 909 9949 Book online at www.voscur.org
or go to www.voscur.org/training
8 www.voscur.org

9. Have your say
New Bristol
Partnership Unveiled
At the end of September, the cabinet members of
Bristol City Council approved the accountability and
governance framework for the relaunched Bristol
Partnership (Bristol’s Local Strategic Partnership)
The revised structure will see a Learning City (Children and Voscur has always held elections for
smaller Executive Board (for full Young People’s Partnership members to decide representation
proposals see www.voscur.org/ Board) to Bristol Partnership and the new
bp). The council has identified Safe and Healthy city (Safer proposals would change this. As
that ‘it is expected’ that either Bristol Partnership Board / Health Thrive! goes to press, a meeting
the Chief Executive or Chairs from and Wellbeing Partnership has been arranged for the Voscur
Voscur and the Black Development Board) board and existing Voscur reps to
Agency would be Voluntary City of Thriving Neighbourhoods discuss VCS representation on the
and Community Sector (VCS) (Neighbourhood Partnerships revised new Bristol Partnership.
representatives on the Executive Board)
Board’. Look out for the insert with
Voscur raised concerns at the details on the Voscur reps
Sub-boards that align with Bristol’s cabinet meeting about the lack elections in this issue of Thrive!
Sustainable Community Strategy of active representation from or visit www.voscur.org/
are proposed. These are: Equalities Communities either in representation
influencing decision-making or as a
Prosperous and Ambitious scrutiny function on the new Bristol
Partnership Board Partnership Executive Board.
Bristol Partnership Executive Board
Driving the city wide modernisation agenda Tackling deprivation Ensuring
the future economic, environmental and social well being of the city Promoting
equalities & community cohesion Overview of the Partnership in its community
leadership role Overseeing the delivery of SCS priorities, including the moni-
toring of the delivery of Local Area Agreement (LAA)/Multi Area Agreement (MAA)
Learning City Safe and Healthy City City of Thriving
Prosperous Neighbourhoods
and Ambitious Children and
Partnership Board Young People’s Safer Bristol Wellbeing Neighbourhood
Partnership Board Partnership Board Partnership Board Partnerships
www.voscur.org 9

10. Have your say
Are NPs pointing in the right direction? Graham Sims, the Strategic Director for Neighbourhoods
Neighbourhood Neighbourhood Partnership
Partnership Seminar Residents’ Forum
Bristol City Council’s Community Development Team is The next Neighbourhood Partnership Residents’
organising a Neighbourhood Partnership Seminar on Forum (NPRF) will take place on Saturday 22
Monday 10 November 12.00 –3.00pm at the Council November, 10.00 -1.00pm at the Greenway centre,
House. Doncaster Road, Southmead, Bristol BS10 5PY
The seminar, which is being held in advance of Bristol’s The Forum is a meeting for residents involved
second ‘state of the city’ debate is expected to focus with their local Neighbourhood Partnerships.
on what is working well and not so well in the city and Councillor Terry Cook, the Executive Member for
how this might be addressed through Neighbourhood Neighbourhoods and Graham Sims, the newly
Partnerships. appointed Strategic Director for Neighbourhoods
have been invited to the next NPRF meeting to set
The event will also include a question and answer out the roles and responsibilities for Neighbourhood
session with leading politicians from each of the Partnerships and how they see this new local
council’s political groups and leading council staff. governance structure evolving.
As Thrive! goes to press the full details are The meeting is also a great opportunity to
not yet available but look out for updates network with other residents and enjoy a free
on the Voscur website: lunch. For more information or to book your
www.voscur.org/brispartnership/np place visit:
www.voscur.org/brispartnership/np or
call Matthew Symonds on: 0117 909 9949
10 www.voscur.org www.voscur.org 10

11. Have your say
Local or Global Giving?
We asked a selection of Voscur “I give to several local charities – mainly through
members attending our Annual habit. There are so many national ones that I
Event in October to give their views wouldn’t know where to start.”
on the potential impact of the Ben Barker - Greater Bedminster Community
global credit crunch on whether Partnership
or not people make donations to
charities. “A lot of what I am involved with is local and
so I’m aware of how difficult it is for local,
especially really small organisations to get
We asked: money, so my donations are local but then I’m
Many charities are also concerned about other issues globally, so I
concerned that the occasionally go that way too.”
global credit crunch Alice Meason, Quartet Community Foundation
will reduce the number
“Personally, I give to national charities and
of financial donations
campaigning organisations and the credit
they receive from
crunch wouldn’t affect my decision whether
individuals. Do you to give or not to give to those organisations. I
prefer to donate would always be more likely to give to a national
to local or national organisation than a local organisation.”
charites? Stuart Griffin - Social Enterprise Works
“I donate to Unicef and I’ve done that for the
past few years. I’m dubious of people selling
(collecting for) charities door to door because
I’m not sure if they are legitimate or not.”
Alex Milne - Community at Heart
“I donate to charity but I don’t mind, just where
it’s needed most. I do international, I do local - I
do all that.”
Lisa Blackwood, St Pauls Unlimited
“
“I donate to Save the Children, which is
international, I think. I’ll still continue to donate
(despite the credit crunch) because I think there
is a lot going into local stuff and so it’s a chance
for everyone to get a piece.”
Mandy Cox, Wellspring Healthy Living Centre
www.voscur.org 11

12. Have your say
The Blue View on Our Sector
and Community Empowerment
Last issue we reported on the government’s Community
Empowerment White Paper. Below are extracts from
the Conservative Shadow Minister for Charities, Social
Enterprise and Volunteering, Greg Clark’s speech to the
National Association of Voluntary Community Action
(NAVCA) conference in September.
“My colleague George Osborne, Dr Colin Copus, senior Lecturer,
Institute of Local Government Studies,
the Shadow Chancellor, used
University of Birmingham
an interview with the Guardian
newspaper to talk about how the
progressive aims that many of us
share can be achieved by what we
hope will be the next Conservative
government and that created a bit
of a debate - about whether this
is something that society should
embrace or whether this is a twist
too far for public opinion, to
embrace the Conservatives as the
progressive party aiming to pursue
progressive goals.
I was struck by Kevin Curley’s L-R Greg Clark MP, Kevin Curley, NAVCA, Peter Wanless, Big Lottery Fund
(Chief Executive, NAVCA), letter in
the Guardian responding to the when the decisions have already of community or is the intention to
above. Kevin said that, “If George been made’ - there is a challenge have the community sector there
Osborne wanted to harness the to us that I hope we will rise to. as a kind of co-opted cog in the
voluntary sector then he should machine of government?
learn from three decades of our “I think it comes down to this
involvement in government funded question of involvement - to “One of the key questions, as you
programmes. We know what has harness the energy, creativity know, is whether voluntary groups
worked and what has failed. Any and everything the third sector should have a greater involvement
government would be wise to draw brings to bear - but what does in the delivery of public services.
on the third sector’s experience as that involvement mean? Does My answer to that is, of course
it plans its social programmes and involvement mean recognising the they ought to able to if they want
not simply to ask us to deliver them sector as the organised expression to, but I think there is a danger if
12 www.voscur.org

13. Have your say
you’re not careful, if through the according to our instructions. I’d
blunt instrument of contracting like to see more councils – and An effective
you find that you’re not doing
something different, innovative
government being more confident
in using the grant rather than
voice for
and new but you’re just doing it feeling constrained to turn grants Disabled people
the old way, but just by a different into contracts. So I hope that
group of people. we can establish through the Since the West of England
Compact a greater acceptance of Coalition for Disabled people
“Contracting isn’t the end game grants funding and I hope that we closed, there has been no
especially for small or community only use contracts where that is effective voice for Disabled
based organisations. Grants have necessary or where that is the right people’s groups in Bristol. The
always been incredibly important course.” Disability Equality Forum, being
and I’m dismayed by the withering part of the Council’s structure
away of grants. Since 2002/2003, These are extracts from Greg Clark’s is restricted to monitoring and
contracts have overtaken grants as speak to the NAVCA conference. scrutinising the Council’s policies
being the prime source, the most For a full transcript visit: and practice. It wants to be a
common source of public sector www.voscur.org/haveyoursay more wide-ranging voice for
funding. In the last three years Disabled people in Bristol. The
Forum is currently considering
according to the finance study “Contracting isn’t the
there has been an absolute decline alternative structures including
end game especially a possible move out of the
in grant giving by 13%.
for small or community Council. Members will vote on
“I think that is very regrettable based organisations. the Forum’s future this autumn.
because grants say something Grants have always To find out more
about the question of trust and contact Laura Welti
been incredibly
question of empowerment - to (Monday – Thursday
say to an organisation we’ve seen
important.”
11am – 3pm),
you, we know you do good work email: laura.welti@bristol.gov.uk
in our community and we don’t Greg Clark, Conservative Shadow or phone: 07810 506730
want you to operate specifically Minister for Charities,
www.voscur.org 13

14. Have your say
Have a Say in Local Health and Social Care -
Local Involvement Network for Bristol
Are you interested in having a say in health and social care locally? You can
become part of a new way for local people to have their say about the way
local health and social care services are run and developed by joining Bristol
Local Involvement Network (LINk).
Bristol LINk has recently been
launched. It is a network of local
people, organisations and groups
that want to improve health and
social care services.
Pat Foster, LINk Manager explains,
“Bristol LINk’s membership is small
at the moment and urgently needs
people from the local community
who feel strongly about local
health and social care services”.
Bristol LINk will be expected to
represent everyone and will also
work with health and social care
professionals to make sure your
voice is heard.
been given powers as part of their to being involved in working task
role. The LINk will be able to make groups. You can join the LINk as an
It will not matter whether services
reports and recommendations and individual or as a representative of
are provided by the NHS, a local
get a reply within a set amount a voluntary or community group.
authority, private company, social
of time, go into some types of
enterprise or a charity, as long as
services to see what they do, For more information about
they are paid for by the tax payer
comment on local services and Bristol LINk contact:
they will be covered by the LINk.
receive a response from local Caroline McAleese - Development
This includes, for example, day
authority commissioners and and Information Worker for Bristol
centres and care homes, home
overview and scrutiny committees. LINk, 0117 9589347, email:
care, family planning, hospitals
carolinemcaleese@linkbristol.org.uk
and GP surgeries, as well as health
You can participate in the LINk as Or write to the LINk at:
promotion.
much or as little as you wish, from The Care Forum, Vassall Centre,
receiving information regularly Gill Avenue, Bristol, BS16 3JE
LINks do have teeth and have
14 www.voscur.org

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17. Volunteering Bristol
A Choice Blend
A national study of people volunteering with
organisations or groups published by the “Volunteer Management is about
Institute for volunteering Research, looked achieving a ‘choice blend, in which
at the provision of volunteer management. organisations combine ‘choice and
It found that the way in which volunteers control’, flexibility and organisation’,
reported being supported and managed
informality and efficiency’ and
varied considerably.
‘personal and professional support’ “
Although four-fifths of volunteers said that they had
access to someone within the organisation from
whom they could seek advice and support, other
elements of recognised good practice in volunteer
management were less common. More than three- Gaskin (2003) A Choice Blend: what volunteers want
quarters of volunteers reported not being provided from organisations and management. Institute for
with a role description and almost as many had not Volunteering Research (IVR)
received training for their role. Even so, the majority
of volunteers also felt that although support was The different ways in which volunteers are involved
available, they did not feel they needed it, nor did the and managed, across activities as well as the different
majority particularly want written role descriptions. approaches to involving regular and occasional
In fact many volunteers felt that a written role volunteers means that there has to be different
description would make their volunteering too rigid models and strategies to managing volunteers and
and formal. organising their involvement – one size will not fit all.
Whilst volunteers seem not to be particularly Volunteering Bristol will advise organisations that are
demanding when it comes to formal management looking to involve volunteers for the first time on
practices, Volunteering Bristol’s own research among what processes they should have in place that will help
volunteers reveals that they are really frustrated by them involve their volunteers successfully.
organisations that fail to respond to their enquiries
about advertised volunteering roles, or do not inform The Volunteer Organisers’ Forum meets about four
applicants of the length of time their recruitment times a year, with additional ad hoc workshops on
processes could last. Several volunteers reported that particular issues arranged as required. The Forum will
they had left volunteering because they had not felt be discussing the issue of recruiting and retaining
valued, and some because they had been insufficiently volunteers in a workshop on 12 November and its next
occupied. network meeting is on 20 November.
Volunteering Bristol encourages volunteering -
involving organisations to join its Volunteer Organisers
Main article sources: Helping Out: a national
Forum where members can exchange ideas and
survey of volunteering and charitable giving.
experiences with their peers to help them use the
(2007) The Cabinet Office, and Volunteering
good practice advice that is available to achieve the
Bristol: Survey of volunteers using the
style and standard of volunteer management that
Volunteer Centre services (2008).
suits their organisations’ needs.
www.voscur.org 17

18. Equalities
Equalities and Human Rights Commission
Funds Ground-breaking Research
In Spring this year the Bristol Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual (LGB) Forum was awarded a
grant by the Equalities and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) to research the needs
of LGB people from Black Minority Ethnic and Faith communities in Bristol.
Research from other cities
indicates that Black Minority Ethnic
and Faith LGB people are often
isolated from the services offered
by both statutory and voluntary
organisations. The findings from
the study will be made available in a
detailed report in Spring 2009. This
will be ground-breaking research
as there is a dearth of studies of
this kind in Bristol or elsewhere.
The views of: Black Minority Ethnic
individuals; LGB people from a
Faith community; LGB and BME
organisations respectively will
be canvassed through the use
of focus groups, one-to-one
Edson Burton and Leiza McLeod, Development Workers
interviews, and questionnaires as
well as through online forums. We
community print and on local radio. to one interviews; questionnaires
hope that the project will lead to
The first focus group took place in or an on-line forum, please email
greater recognition and support
October this year. either Leiza: leiza@bristol-lgb-
for LGB people from Black Minority
forum.org.uk or Edson: edson@
Ethnic and Faith communities.
The research is supported by a bristol-lgb-forum.org.uk or call
steering group, the members 0117 352 5633. You will also be
Since July this year two workers,
of which have a broad range of able to share your experiences via
Leiza McLeod and Edson Burton
research, project management and an online Forum.
have been recruited to the
personal experience.
post. They have researched
For the sake of security and honest
the background literature, are
If you are a Black Minority Ethnic engagement access to the online
in the process of contacting
and Faith LGB person who would Forum has first to be vetted so
Black Minority Ethnic and Faith
like to become involved in the please contact the above emails or
LGB people in Bristol, and
project through: focus groups; one number in the first instance.
are promoting the project in
18 www.voscur.org

19. Equalities
Brits stand shoulder
to shoulder with refugees
Refugees and British people are standing shoulder to shoulder across the UK thanks to
an innovative project in Bristol which recently launched its new website. The Refugee
Awareness Project (RAP) website www.raproject.org.uk will act as an inspirational
‘toolkit’ for the many people nationwide who support asylum seekers and refugees in
their communities and want to make their voices heard.
and speak publicly after all they’ve
been through and in a language
that’s not even their mother
tongue!”
The new site gives people
everything they need to become
community ambassadors for
refugees, including tips on how
to offer practical help and pocket
booklets that put the facts at
their fingertips. The website’s
‘info vault’ is a fantastic one-stop-
shop for facts and figures about
RAP volunteer delivering awareness workshop
asylum, providing resources and
The interactive website is the something to counter that. activities that trainers, teachers
offspring of a project operated and community activists will find
by national charity Refugee “In running awareness workshops especially useful.
Action. Both refugees and British with local people, I’ve found that
people from all walks of life have a lot of people are initially hostile Bristol’s RAP co-ordinator Claire
volunteered with the project. about refugees. However, their Stern, said that many thousands of
They have visited local groups to opinions are not based on any real people up and down the country
give the facts about asylum, and facts and as soon as you explain are hungry for information and
refugee volunteers have told their the reality, they understand why want to know how they can make
stories of fleeing persecution and we should offer asylum seekers a difference. The RAP website will
war. protection and admit that they’ve empower those people to act.
been misled by some parts of the
Rob Wotherspoon volunteered in tabloid press.
To see the new website
Bristol because of the way refugees
and find out how your
and asylum seekers, some of the “The refugee volunteers on the
organisation can receive
most vulnerable and marginalised project have been a real inspiration
a refugee awareness workshop
people in British society, are to me. It’s so impressive that
go to www.raproject.org.uk
treated. He decided to do they’re brave enough to go out
www.voscur.org 19

20. Hate crime
Tackling hate crime in Bristol
Hate crime is extremely under-
Contacts for reporting hate reported in our city and the Bristol
crime and further information: Hate Crime strategy is working to
address this problem.
EACH – Homophobic (lesbian, gay, bisexual,
transsexual): 0808 100 143 (Mon-Fri 10am-
Reporting of hate crime incidents needs to
4pm) www.eachaction.org.uk
be encouraged in order to ensure that people
can get support; to paint a better picture of
SARI – Faith-based / Racist: 0117 942 0060 (24
how hate crime is affecting the city; to identify
hrs), www.sariweb.org.uk
where the ‘hotspots’ are and how best to tackle
the problem and to make Bristol safer.
WECIL – Disablist: 0117 903 8900 voice and
minicom (Mon - Fri 9am-4.30pm)
Race, faith, ethnicity, disability or sexuality
www.wecil.co.uk
based bullying, prejudice or harassment is a
hate crime. It can be any incident directly
Victim Support Avonvale: 0845 45 66 099,
against individuals believed to belong to,
(Mon-Fri 8am-8pm)
or believed to be associating with persons
www.victimsupport.org.uk/avonvale/
belonging to, a specific group, therefore it can
affect anyone.
Avon & Somerset Police: 0845 4567000 (dial
999 in an emergency, 24hrs)
It can be any incident committed against a
www.avonandsomerset.police.uk
person or property that is perceived to be
motivated by the offender’s hatred of people
Safer Bristol Partnership: for locations
based on prejudice (as above), and should
of reporting centres in Bristol; to report
be determined as a hate crime by the person
hate crime online or to download the Hate
affected and not by agencies involved.
Crime Strategy 2006-09 (Easy English version
available): www.bristol.gov.uk/hatecrime
Whilst not all incidents constitute a criminal
offence, the effects nevertheless can be just as
Home office:
serious in terms of impact. Hate crime offences
www.homeoffice.gov.uk/crime-victims/
can range from name-calling, harassment,
reducing-crime/hate-crime/
criminal damage, graffiti and assault to violence
against the person and murder.
20 www.voscur.org

21. Hate crime
Support Against Racist Incidents
Tackling hate crime –
(SARI), Education and Action
the Bristol picture
Challenging Homophobia (EACH)
The Bristol Hate Crime strategy and West of England Council for
was initiated by a small working Independent Living (WECIL) who are
group including Voscur, and was key providers in challenging hate
developed from wide consultation. incidents and supporting those
It is managed by the Safer Bristol who report.
Partnership.
Recognising a hate
Major successes of the strategy crime incident.
include the joint working processes Would you report it?
involving voluntary and public
sector organisations tackling hate For example:
crime and developing strategies
A white person is victimised
to increase reporting. Sharing of
because they have a black
information and data has been
partner.
vastly improved, more effective
A person leaving a gay venue is
signposting and support is available
verbally abused by passers-by.
to those who report and a range of
A disabled man’s house is
third-party reporting centres have
constantly being vandalised with
been established in Bristol.
graffiti, and sometimes rubbish
is put through his letterbox.
Reporting centres are community
A person with learning difficulties
venues where staff have been
is frequently verbally abused by
trained to receive reports about
a neighbour, who also plays loud
hate crime from the public;
music and refuses to turn it
information is then forwarded
down.
on to the relevant agency if the
Mr X gets constant racial abuse
person reporting wishes this to
Reporting ensures when walking down his street so
happen; the process also enables
he tends to drive a lot. A brick
people get help. No better tracking of hate crime
was thrown through his
one should suffer in incidents and activity in the city.
windscreen and now Mr X and his
silence – you can help family are too scared to leave the
The training given to organisations
make a difference. house.
which serve as reporting centres
is delivered by a consortium of Anything like this is hate crime
voluntary sector organisations: and should be reported.
www.voscur.org 21

22. Advertisment
this Christmas Caring at Christmas runs the 24 hour emergency
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Contact Gary on 0117 924 4444
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22 www.voscur.org

23. How To - ICT
What’s in a Name?
How to have and use your own domain
A domain is the part of a panel and choose the section link to verify your ownership of the
web site or email address “manage domain” then choose address.
after the www and @, like “email forwarding”. Step Five: Go back to Accounts
voscur.org for sean@voscur.org and you will see your new domain
or www.voscur.org or bristol.gov. You will see a section to fill in that address added, click on “Make
uk for mailing the City Council or asks you to add a username (you Default”. Your new email address
going to their website. can use your own name, or office is now live! Any mail you send will
or info) @thedomainyouhave. come from you@yourdomain.org.
If you want professional looking org.uk and a box asking where uk and you can tell all your friends
looking email rather than the aol. you want to forward that mail to. and colleagues the new address.
com or blueyonder.co.uk your Enter the googlemail address you
Internet Service Provider has given set up in Step One. Click Update If you need any more help setting
you, you can set one up in 10 Forwarding at the bottom of the up more addresses for your office,
minutes for less than £5. page and log out. or transferring address books,
or using the free calendar, or
Step One: First set up a Google mail Step Four: Return to your new setting up a website with your new
address – go to www.google.co.uk googlemail account and click domain, feel free to contact us at
and click on mail in the top left “Settings” (in the top right corner Voscur or use the contact form
hand corner and follow the simple of the page) and then select on our ICT Development services
instructions to set up the address, “Accounts” from the list of tabs. In web page at www.voscur.org/
we recommend a user name the section “Send mail as:” click on ictdevelopmentservices, or phone
format of name dot organisation “Add another email address”. Sean Kenny at Voscur on
(e.g. sean.voscur). 0117 909 9949.
A pop up box will appear
Step Two: When you’ve done that, prompting you to enter
head over to www.123-reg.co.uk the address you want to
and find a suitable domain name use – enter the address
that’s available. Registering a org. you set up with 123-reg,
uk domain costs £5.58 for 2 years press “Next” and then “Send
with 123-reg, the cheapest we’ve Verification”.
found.
After a short period of time
Step Three: Once you’ve bought a mail will appear in your new
your domain log into the control googlemail inbox, click on the
Please note: Voscur does not endorse any specific company, and those named above have been given
as examples. It is important to research products and companies best placed to suit your organisation’s
requirements. When entering into any agreement ensure that you are aware of the full terms and conditions.
www.voscur.org 23

24. How to – Funding and Finance
Bristol e-Procurement System (BePS)
- it’s coming your way
If you’re a Voluntary, Community or Social Enterprise sector (VCSE)
organisation which receives any sort of funding from Bristol City Council
you are encouraged to register on BePS.
All organisations’ information is
Why is BePs important How will BePs work
kept securely and only authorised
to the VCSE? for the VCSE?
personnel will have access to it.
The Bristol e-Procurement System Once you have received your
(BePS) is the web-based system username and password you’ll be Training on Commissioning
used by Bristol City Council to hold able to search the bulletin board and BePS
of advertised tenders, receive Bristol City Council and
?
information on service providers,
contracts and tenders. BePS is tender alerts and express interest Voscur have set up BePS
going to be the only way that the in opportunities. training opportunities for
Council manages its contractual VCSE groups:
relationships with VCSE groups in Wednesday 12 Nov,
BePS is free to use, 10.30am – 12pm
future, including grant funding.
and you can register Thursday 27 Nov, 2.00 – 3.30pm,
All tendering opportunities over via this link: www.
£10,000 are now processed For further information and to
procurement.bristol.
through BePS and the council will book online visit:
gov.uk/. It’s as easy as www.voscur.org/training
only accept tenders submitted on
the system. Over the next year all opening an account or contact Sabrina Lee on (0117)
follow-up contract management, with Amazon or 909 9949
monitoring and payments will also Facebook.
be managed through BePS.
Tendering Toolkit a PTQ to be considered for an
advertised Bristol City Council
A new toolkit has been launched contract.
to help small and medium sized
enterprises develop a pre- For further information and to
tender questionnaire (PTQ). All download the toolkit visit
organisations need to complete www.bristol.gov.uk/ptq
24 www.voscur.org

25. How to – Funding and Finance
Voscur Receives
Beacon Grant Award
All the Fun of the Funding Fair!
Dependent upon grant Organisations (NCVO) on 16
Voscur has been awarded a
funding? September.
Beacon grant from the National
Concerned about grant
Association of Voluntary and
funding drying up? The Annual Funding Event, entitled,
Community Action (NAVCA) for
Need to learn new skills to From Surviving to Thriving:
our work training Children and
generate income for your Making your Organisation
Young People’s organisations in
outcomes-based commis-sioning.
organisation? Sustainable, will include four in-
depth and interactive workshops
During the Summer training
sessions, groups told us the
…then look no further than to equip Voluntary, Community
kind of support they needed to
the Voscur and BDA Annual and Social Enterprise organisations
engage in the commissioning and
Funding Event, where you can with skills to think beyond grants
learn how to: and understand how to access
procurement process.
more sustainable and diverse forms
Plan and price your services to of funding. The event promises
The small grant will help to
help you generate income workshop facilitators and speakers
support consultation events
Make winning applications for who are experts in their field,
linking commissioners and the
long-term grant funding funding information, resources and
voluntary sector on how to
Participate in commissioning guidance, networking and much
achieve outcomes for children,
processes and take up contracts more…
as well as further capacity
building training for the Start trading goods and services
Children’s workforce in outcomes
?
The event acts as a follow-up to 19 November 2008, from
development and monitoring
the very successful ‘Introduction 9.30am – 5pm at the
Greenway Centre,
? For further information to Sustainable Funding workshop’,
which Voscur ran in partnership Southmead, Bristol BS10 5PY. Book
visit:
with National Council for Voluntary online at www.voscur.org/training
www.voscur.org/commissioning
www.voscur.org 25

26. How to – Good Practice
Supporting you to
support yourself
Do you feel isolated in your role? Are you fed up with not getting enough
support? Could external support be right for you?
Many people who lead organisations can feel isolated in their roles, often due
to insufficient support being in place.
Pippa Adamson from Red Kite Coaching – Coaches are concerned facilitator. This helps develop
Partnership highlights the with learning and development questioning and reflective skills,
importance of support. through increased self-awareness, as well as working through some
self-regulatory strategies, insights difficult management issues.
Successful leaders in the private and commitments.
and public sectors often work with Why do it? What are the
a mentor, a coach or an external Non-managerial supervision or benefits for you and your
supervisor who supports them in external supervision – providing organisation?
developing good judgment, clear support in your work but not from
decision-making and strategic your line manager. Role modelling of how to do
skills. This helps them deal with the supervision well can improve
pressures and stresses of running External managerial supervision – the quality of supervision in the
an organisation. this is where the organisation asks workplace.
someone to provide managerial Off-loading can help you see the
To improve the situation, the supervision, for example while a issues more effectively and
organisation might pay for external manager is away. can help you be more focused in
support, where a manager/leader your role.
can go and talk through the Counselling – working on issues, Seeing a mentor or coach one-
current issues in a confidential and which get in the way of your work to-one can provide personalised
supportive environment. The labels but may not be work-related; management training. You can
or names of supporters are much sometimes provided for staff and improve your influencing skills,
debated but some of the options volunteers who have been through your communication skills and
are: difficult incidents at work. get help with problem-solving.
If a Management Board knows
Mentoring – a mentor can guide, Action Learning Sets – in an Action that its Chief Executive is
encourage and help you to develop Learning Set, people work in a receiving good support, then it is
as a person and as a leader and group to support and challenge fulfilling its responsibility to
manager. each other, with the help of a support the leadership of the
26 www.voscur.org

27. How to – Good Practice
You can improve your
influencing skills, your
communication skills and
organisation and thereby get help with problem- able to help. Contact Sophie
improve its effectiveness. solving. Bayley on 0117 909 9949
When might my organisation 3) Voscur is looking to develop
look for external one-to-one a Chief Officers’ Network to
Social Enterprise (VCSE) sector
support? support you in your role. If you
organisations for our members. We are interested contact Wendy
also have a directory of external Stephenson at Voscur on 0117
When your organisation is
consultants (see below). 909 9949 or email:
experiencing change and there
may be stress within the staff wendy@voscur.org
Internally, we encourage our
team
managers to have non-managerial 4) Go to Trainers and Consultants
When a new Chief Executive/
supervision and have peer support Direct at NAVCA www.trainers
Manager has been appointed
through our Development Team. andconsultantsdirect.org.uk
Where the Board and Chief
Executive, Manager have been
Where next? 5) Funds might be raised to
in place for many years
If you want extra support cover costs if it relates to
Where the Chief Executive or
here are some places to capacity building and increased
Manager has little or no support
go to: effectiveness of the organi-
in the organisation and/or has
no line manager sation. Contact Sabrina Lee,
1) Check the Trainers and Voscur’s Funding Advisor on
Where the person’s line manager
Consultants Directory on the 0117 909 9949 or Quartet:
is on sick leave
Voscur website under www. www.quartetcf.org.uk or call on
voscur.org/directories to find 0117 989 7700
How can Voscur support you?
appropriate support
Voscur has already run Action
Learning sets for Leaders,
2) If you are interested in Action Thanks to Pippa Adamson
Development Workers and
Learning Sets, Voscur may be www.red-kite.net
Chairs of Voluntary, Community and
www.voscur.org 27

28. How to – Green Pages
I’m Dreaming of a Green Christmas
Follow these top tips to help make your Christmas a bit more environmentally
friendly
Switch off Re-post Get back to Buy better
your roots
If you’re taking a holiday It is estimated that up If you’re buying Christmas
over the Christmas or New to 1 billion Christmas presents, keep an eye out
Over six million trees were
Year period then make cards (17 for every man, for recycled products.
bought last Christmas in
sure that all your work or woman and child) could From fashionable bags
the UK, most of which
home computers, moni- end up in bins across and drinking glasses to
were thrown out after
tors, printers and other the UK after Christmas. cushions and clothing -
December, creating
electrical equipment not After you’ve finished with you’ll be amazed at what
over 9000 tonnes of
in use during the holiday the seasonal greetings you can find.
additional rubbish - that’s
is switched off to avoid from your partners and
the equivalent weight of
wasting energy and help colleagues makes sure Visit: www.recyclenow.
160,000 of Santa’s little
keep your bills down. they are recycled at one com to see a full range of
helpers! So, if you’re
of the many Christmas recycled goods that make
buying a real Christmas
card recycling centres. If ideal gift ideas!
tree, make sure it has
you take them to one of
roots so it can grow again.
the supermarket recycling
If it can’t grow again, take
centres you’ll help raise
it to one of your local
money for charity too.
recycling centres where it
You could also try sending
will be chipped and turned
e-cards this year. E-cards
into nutritious compost.
mean no paper at all but
the sentiments are still
there.
28 www.voscur.org

29. How to – Green Pages
Pack in Keep some- String ‘em up Umm... thanks
the bags one else warm
It is estimated that over If somebody gives you a
Christmas as much as 83 present that you don’t
Say “No” to unwanted More than 80,000 tonnes
square km of wrapping really want or your
carrier bags when doing of old clothes are thrown
paper will end up in UK children receive a toy that
your Christmas shopping, away over Christmas - if
rubbish bins, enough to is soon discarded - rather
take a re-usable shopping you get a whole new
cover an area larger than than throw it away, pass it
bag with you or re-use wardrobe, donate your
Guernsey. Use string to on to your local hospital,
plastic bags. Don’t accept unwanted clothes to
tie up your parcels so that play centre, charity shop
bags that you don’t need charity shops.
the paper can be reused. or school.
this Christmas. Cloth
bags also make a great
Christmas gift.
Bin those usual resolutions and make a New Year recycling resolution! If you’re not already
recycling at work visit www.recyclenow.com/what_can_i_do_today to find out how you can
turn your workplace green.
Find out more details on recycling and Christmas opening hours for the Bristol recycling centres
at: www.bristol.gov.uk/recycling
www.voscur.org 29

30. Children & Young People
Highlighting the Work of Our Members
Action research project: ‘Platform Futures’
Young People as researchers and evaluators
Emma Agusita outside Knowle West Media Centre - Picture by Tanya Hazell
Knowle West Media Centre (KWMC) is an organisation Emma has been developing a participatory approach
engaged in developing the creative, social and to the research project so that young people are not
educational potential of people within the surrounding simply a ‘source of data’. PF is providing the chance
community and the wider city. The centre offers for young people to become actively involved as
opportunities for young people to participate co-researchers and evaluators and there will be a
in a range of creative projects mobilising video, young researchers group looking at key aspects of the
photography, graphic design, music, and multimedia research. This approach reflects the ethos and practice
and online platforms. of KWMC where young people are encouraged,
through creative means, to participate in decision-
Since October 2006 Doctoral research student, making processes regarding issues that affect them
Emma Agusita, has been working collaboratively with and their local community. KWMC knows that young
KWMC and the University of the West of England to people have a valuable contribution to make to their
develop an action research project “Platform Futures communities and that they can have a positive impact
(PF)”. The project is evaluating ways in which young on the perception of young people both within the
people engage in creative media activities in informal communities in which they live and beyond.
educational settings and will look at what kinds of
digital media technologies can be used to extend and Recently, young people from KWMC were engaged
enhance project work with young people. as evaluators in the development and delivery of an
30 www.voscur.org

31. Children & Young People
evaluation of the South Bristol Urban 2 programme. shared decision making about the form of,
The young people involved had been central to the approach to and tools used for, evaluation. For
‘Archimedia Project’ which received funding from example, allow young people to set relevant criteria
the SB Urban 2 programme. The Archimedia project which reflect their priorities, don’t just use pre-
involved young people in every element of decision- existing ones
making regarding the planning and creation of a new Consider ethical issues in relation to evaluation
purpose built flagship building for KWMC. such as: consent, inclusiveness, confidentiality
and anonymity, recognition, ownership and social
By working closely with KWMC’s youth media worker, responsibility. Aim to raise awareness, and involve
Sandra Manson, and with support from independent young people in thinking and decision making about
research and evaluation consultant Roz Hall, the group these issues
planned the evaluation process and carried out the Treat young people as equals
majority of the evaluative work. The team then worked Make the evaluation process clear and easy to
with input from Emma to develop the content of the understand
evaluation into a publication. Always genuinely listen to what young people have
to say
The book In Our Opinion – Young People as Active
Participants in the Regeneration of Their Communities Sharing the outcomes of the Platform Futures
(2008), suggests a number of effective ways of research project will help to develop and promote
working with young people as evaluators. These were inclusive practice, particularly young people’s
developed in collaboration with the young people participation in research and evaluation. This
involved and can be applied to the evaluation of will improve service provision and enhance the
programmes, initiatives, projects and activities that effectiveness of creative media activities such as those
involve young people: at KWMC that support young people’s personal, social
and educational development.
Be willing to acknowledge that young people are
experts on the issues and matters that affect them Sources of further information:
Work to develop a mutual sense of trust and Knowle West Media Centre
respect with young people as a basis for developing www.kwmc.org.uk;
effective practice
Platform Futures Blog
Be honest with young people. If they are aware of
www.platformfutures.blogspot.com
the facts of a situation they are better equipped to
deal with them National Youth Agency – see Young Researchers
Involve young people throughout the entire Network www.nya.org.uk
process; don’t just bring them on board to suit your
For further information contact Emma,
own timetable or agenda
Email: emma@kwmc.org.uk
Aim to enable young people to be involved in
www.voscur.org 31

32. Children & Young People - Reps
Voscur Reps
Voscur Reps are there to ensure that the views of the
sector are heard and represented at strategic meetings.
Reps represent the views of,
and are accountable to, Voscur
Children and Young Peoples
Network members. All of our
Reps are volunteers and are
undertaking this responsibility in
addition to their organisational
roles. Representation is a two way
process and network members are
requested to contact the Reps with
concerns, feedback and questions.
More information about
your Reps can be found
at: www.voscur.org.uk
Introduction to Your New Rep
Sandra Meadows, Rep to the Diploma Development group
Welcome to Sandra Meadows -
the newly appointed rep to the
Diploma Development Group, a sub strategic and operational plans and be available in 17 subjects across
group of the 14 - 19 work stream developments. My past experience England by 2013. Diplomas cannot
group. Sandra introduces herself of working in partnership and all be taught in one school and
below: across sectors will assist in will be offered in partnership with
gathering and communicating the other schools and colleges. Also, in
“I am the Co-ordinator of the views of those I represent. I look 2010, £7bn will be transferred to
Play & Early Years Training Unit forward to speaking with many of local authorities from the Learning
(PEYTU), a local charity and training you during my tenure – please do and Skills Council, therefore Local
provider for the Children & Young get in touch.” Authorities will be responsible for
People’s sector. In my new role as Email: smeadows@peytu.co.uk commissioning the annual spend
a member of the 14-19 Diploma on education and training for 16-
Development Group (sub group What are Diplomas for 19 year olds.
of the 14-19 Work stream) I am 14-19 year olds?
For more information
keen to assist in ensuring that The Diploma is a new qualification
go to: yp.direct.gov.uk
the voluntary sector perspective that combines academic study
/diplomas
is communicated and included in with work based learning. It will
32 www.voscur.org

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34. Training & Learning
Oodles of Moodles
“I’m really excited
about this, it shows
that digital technology
allows partnership
working not seen in
the sector before and
Hot Topic Oriented Dynamic Learning I think it could be the
Environment. Moodle is one type future for community
e-Learning - Oodles of Moodles of e-Learning and is designed
learning”
Electronic learning (e-Learning or to help educators create online
eLearning) is a type of education courses with opportunities for rich
where people learn through interaction. Moodle is a Course
computer technology. In some Management System (CMS) - a free, Jo Weenink, Development Worker,
instances, no person-to-person open source software package Bristol Learning Communities.
interaction takes place. It is defined which you can download and use
as teaching/learning experience on any computer. You can put on learners. This is one way of
that uses a wide spectrum of different modules, activities and reaching people who cannot afford
technologies, mainly Internet or podcasts to help people learn. to attend training sessions. Many
computer-based, to reach learners. organisations are using them now
Moodle’s modular design makes it and Voscur has its own which
Introducing Moodle easy to create new courses, adding Barton Hill Settlement is currently
Moodle stands for Modular Object- content that will engage using.
34 www.voscur.org