[WiLT] Capacitybuilders stakeholders call for better communication

[WiL Admin]

Capacitybuilders stakeholders call for better communication

Capacitybuilders must work on communication to ensure that ChangeUp,
the programme to improve voluntary sector infrastructure, becomes more
connected at different levels, stakeholders have said.

Delegates at the first conference of representatives from the funding
body's regional and national infrastructure organisations last week
said good communication was crucial to bringing together different
parts of the programme.

About 70 representatives gave feedback to Capacitybuilders on its
future plans as well as scrutinising early drafts of business plans
for the nine national support services that will replace its six
current hubs of expertise in April.

A Capacitybuilders spokeswoman said good communication was one of the
main points that emerged from the discussions. "It must be two-way,
joined-up, appropriate and not overloading," she said.

Other feedback touched on the need to make services focused on the end
users, she added.

The event was called to address gaps in the different levels of
service that Capacitybuilders offers

http://www.thirdsector.co.uk/News/DailyBulletin/779576/Capacitybuilders-stakeholders-call-better-communication/C02E0077242FC7357DF939A2A8717BDD/


JoinedUp A Creative Conversation

Background to National Support Services

Capacitybuilders exists to help create a more effective third sector,
increasing its ability to create a better quality of life for
individuals and communities.

We want our funding of national support services (and other
programmes) to result in a step-change in the support available to
frontline organisations working across England.

The National Support Services programme aims to intervene at a high
level in the 'support cascade' (see diagram overleaf). The investment
aims to provide other support providers with resources, evidence and
good practice that will improve the services offered to frontline
organisations.

The main outcome against which we will seek to measure the success of
the programme is that sector support services are more skilled and
effective in delivering support relevant to the current and future
needs of, and demands on, diverse frontline third sector
organisations.

This is likely to be achieved through a combination of activities,
including:
. resources aimed both towards support providers and frontline
organisations that meet evidenced gaps in information and advice
. development programmes for support providers, improving the skills
and responsiveness of those advising and supporting frontline
organisations
. raising the profile of obstacles or changes to the policy
environment that could assist frontline organisations.

The workstreams are based on consultation and assessment about where
support services will need to improve to meet the changing needs of
the third sector. The level, priorities and pattern of activity in
each workstream will vary, reflecting both current gaps in provision
and how developed current support services are in this area. We have
left flexibility in the commissioning process for potential providers
to suggest how existing gaps can best be filled, how new ways of
working can be developed and how impact can be maximised.

All lead bodies will be obliged to work alongside and feed in to a new
national communications centre, which will be developed separately,
and aim to provide a gateway to support services and initiatives
Capacitybuilders' funds.

Capacitybuilders' support cascade
(see chart on 2nd page of presentation - link below)

Priority workstreams: outcomes

As well as seeking to better focus the aim and outcomes of national
investments to have the most impact, Capacitybuilders aims to be
proactive in identifying the needs of, and demands on, frontline
organisations that affect their ability to deliver improved outcomes
in communities across England.

The initial six themes of the ChangeUp framework - governance,
volunteering, information and communications technology, finance,
performance improvement and workforce development - remain pertinent
to the development and growth of most third sector organisations.
Whilst always envisaged as broad headings, our consultation has
demonstrated a range of organisational support that falls beyond these
themes and yet is both valued by frontline organisations, and likely
to be of growing importance for organisations responding to changes in
the environment in which they work.

In particular, the sector's role in campaigning, advocacy and
influencing governance is increasingly recognised as vital to the
health of civil society, and aspirations for greater community
involvement, especially in local decision-making, planning and
partnerships.
Background to National Support Services

We are also keen to ensure that our programmes recognise the breadth
and diversity of the third sector that should benefit from improved
support services, for instance, small community groups and social
enterprises.

We recognise that the desired impact relies on greater synergy between
national services and work funded at a national and local level. As a
result, the commissioning process has been designed to forge links at
an early stage, and ensure a real 'demand focus' in developing
detailed services.

We expect that each provider ensures linkages between the funded
workstream and relevant stakeholders, be that through advisory groups,
project management teams or other mechanisms.

Source http://capacitybuilders.org.uk/downloadfile.aspx?ID=164


Capacitybuilders
Switchboard: 0121 237 5100
77 Paradise Circus, Birmingham B1 2DT
info at capacitybuilders.org.uk
http://www.capacitybuilders.org.uk