Minutes:
The Cabinet Member welcomed colleagues from the Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS), Shafique Hussain, Peter Foyle and Julie Adamson. Shafique, Peter and Julie had been invited to the meeting along with the Community Engagement Manager (Neighbourhood and Adult Services) to report on the actions of the Rotherham (VCS) Infrastructure Network (RIN). In particular, an update would be provided on the Single Infrastructure Grant that the VCS RIN received including:-
· An overview of the voluntary and community sector in Rotherham was provided;
· The benefits and contributions provided by the voluntary and community sector;
· The role of the VCS Infrastructure in supporting, information, training, advice and guidance to the estimated 1,500 voluntary and community organisations in Rotherham;
· The Rotherham VCS worked collaboratively to ensure that representation of the 1,500 organisations was representative;
· Key delivery areas of the VCS Infrastructure included: volunteer co-ordination, services support, service development and voice, engagement and representation.
In the financial year 2012/13, the Rotherham Infrastructure Network had: -
Volunteering: -
· Brokered and supported 1,342 new volunteers;
· Seen an increase in the number of groups registered;
· Produced a Rotherham volunteer strategy;
· Provided volunteer training and support for pathways into work;
· Co-ordinated/contributed to support for key events and activities.
Services Support: -
· Provided comprehensive weekly email bulletins;
· Used GISMO to promote all services Borough;
· Undertook organisational training and capacity building;
· Assisted 302 groups to make 721 funding searches;
· 7 organisations had received specific tailored funding advice and guidance;
· Facilitated rural community building sessions and Yorkshire community venues website;
· Worked with Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) representative groups to target funding opportunities;
· Worked with the Disability Network;
· Direct Payments and BME families research;
· Mosque training;
· Interfaith events.
Service Development: -
· Supported the implementation of the Financial Inclusion Strategy;
· Provided/facilitated financial capability training;
· Facilitated VCS Information and Collaboration Sessions;
· Targeted initiatives for BME organisations and communities, including supporting communities to access Services and provision, and identification of and addressing market gaps.
Voice, Engagement and Representation: -
· Undertaken recruitment and selection of strategic VCS representatives on Rotherham Partnerships and Boards, including the Local Social Partnership, Safer Futures Community Network and the Health and Wellbeing Board;
· Had a VCS group membership in excess of 620 individuals;
· Contributed to the Health and Wellbeing Strategy;
· Contributed to community cohesion and awareness raising work.
Case studies where the VCS had brokered individuals into full-time, stable employment were considered. The individuals had been matched to access placements for volunteering opportunities and had come from baselines of long-term unemployment and did not have qualifications. Rotherham VCS had helped the individuals to gain employment skills and access qualifications, which had supported them to the next step of developing contacts and pursuing opportunities.
During the 2012/13 financial year, the RIN had helped Rotherham groups to secure £4million of funding.
Discussion ensued on the production of the RIN’s annual report to publicise the impacts of the organisation and demonstrate the use and impact of the Single Infrastructure Grant, and how this grant enabled the RIN to support VCS groups to contribute to the Council’s Corporate Plan. The Cabinet Member asked that quantitative figures be inserted into the report to demonstrate the progress that had been achieved.
Resolved: - That the information shared be noted.