The Project forms part of NAVCA’s Local Commissioning and Procurement Unit, an online resource of useful documents, briefings and research to improve your knowledge, understanding and skills around commissioning and procurement.

SCVO urge Sandwell based organsiations to take advantage of the Project, which is now open to all voluntary and community sector organisations (including social enterprises) across England.

Organisations can now receive up to £500 worth of high-quality expert help for just £50.

One day of consultancy is available and can be used for single or partnership bids to assist with both pre-tender and around the time of bid submissions.

To find out more or to make an enquiry about the Tender Support Project, contact Pauline Kimantas, Local Commissioning and Procurement Manager, NAVCA, tel: 0114 289 3982 or email: Pauline.Kimantas@navca.org.uk 

The support is time limited and applications for support will need to be made before end December 2010.

Speakers gave a national and local perspective on issues of importance and delegates heard a case study from an organisation who had been successful in coming through difficult times. 

Workshops were also held for organisations to share ideas and discuss practical steps which could be taken to ensure the sector survives and thrives in coming years.

Following the main conference delegates attended a market stall of organisations to find out more about the support services that were available to them.

Please click on the links below to access all relevant information from the Conference:-

‘The Bigger Picture’ - Jan Mellor – Mellor Lawrie Management
‘Support for the Sector’ - Mark Davis – SCVO
‘Case Study’ - Martin Holcombe – Birmingham Settlement

Presentations Summary

Workshop Summary

Evaluation Summary

Sandwell PCT are hosting a networking event on Thursday 8 July 2010, 1.00pm – 3.00pm at The Brambles, Bramley Road, Yew Tree Estate, WS5 4LE. 

Martin Drayton, Project Officer (3Cs) will be attending from SCVO and there will be an opportunity to find out more about the support offer for voluntary organisations in Sandwell, including news about finditinsandwell and the 3Cs (Contracting, Collaboration and Consortia) support for the Sector.

If you would like to attend the event, please contact Ann Poynton, tel: 01922 423358 or email: ann.poynton@nhs.net

Wolverhampton Network Consortium (WNC) have accessed funding from the Skills Funding Agency to support the development of a potential collaborative application across the Black Country for the period 2011 – 2015. 

News of a potential collaborative bid for the Black Country has inspired public sector organisations to advertise for bid partners and collaboraters. Sandwell College are the first to advertise for prospective partners (view the advert here ) and WNC will ensure their are opportunities for organisations to consider the College’s proposal as the process of developing a collaborative bid grows pace.

Is your organisation interested in developing services in the following areas?

• Extending employment opportunties;
• Developing a skilled and adaptable workforce;
• Supporting young people Not in Education, Employment or Training (NEET);
• The long-term unemployed;
• Adult skills (19+);
• Supporting people into local labour markets.

Do you hold experience of managing an ESF-funded project (or would like to find out more about what’s involved)? Then you can get engaged in the collaborative bid by contacting WNC and finding out what opportunites are available to you. Contact Imroze Sahota, External Funding Research and Development Officer, WNC, isahota@w-n-c.org , tel: 01902 572020.

The free course is being organised by NCVO (National Council of Voluntary Organisations) and RAWM (Regional Action West Midlands), funded by The Dulverton Trust.

NCVO’s recent Charity Forecast survey showed that 74% of sector leaders anticipate more collaboration in the next year, coupled with 62% who felt that competition for resources will increase in the next year. Collaboration is a key strategy to help your organisation deal with potential reduction in funding and a changing economic and funding environment.

With the recent changes to Sandwell’s Voluntary Sector Support Budget now under way, your organisation can benefit from improving your trustees understanding of the following:

• The drivers for collaboration and merger;
• Their duties and responsibilities in relation to collaboration and merger;
• The different models for collaboration and merger;
• The kinds of information they might need to help make strategic decisions about collaboration and merger.

To book your place contact, Sue Beckett, email: susan.beckett@ncvo.vol.org or tel: 020 7520 2440.  Further booking information about the seminar is available from NCVO.

SCVO would like to know if you attended this seminar and found the information helpful.  Please submit a comment in the space provided, or email: martind@scvo.info   For advice and guidance on collaborative working contact Martin Drayton, Project Officer (3Cs), tel: 0121 525 1127 or email: martind@scvo.info

The session takes place on Wednesday, 9 June 2010 from 10.00am to 12.30pm and is aimed at Chief Executive Officers, Trustees and Senior Managers from voluntary and community sector organisations.  Topics to be covered include:

• Diversifying your income streams;
• Working out what’s right for your organisation;
• Avoiding pitfalls and making the most of trading, borrowing money, etc;
• What enterprise could mean for your organisation.

Led by consultants and lawyers from Anthony Collins Solicitors LLP, this session will be led by experienced practitioners dealing with voluntary and community sectors, who will help you with the following:

• Analysing the strengths and weaknesses of your organisation;
• Learn from each other about what’s possible for third sector organisations;
• How to be creative in your strategic planning;
• To become better equipped to tackle challenges and grasp opportunities in changing environments.

Places cost £35 for ACEVO members and £45 for non-members. 

To book your place email: events@acevo.org.uk , or book online, or tel: 020 7280 4962.

SCVO would like to know if you attended this course and found the information helpful.  Please submit a comment in the space provided, or email: martind@scvo.info

Tuesday 22 June 2010 from 2.00pm – 7.00pm

National Metal Forming Centre, 47 Birmingham Road,

West Bromwich, B70 6PY

The Voluntary and Community Sector plays a vital role in delivering services to the residents of Sandwell.  There is an increased recognition of this role and an increased demand on services, but this comes with increased competition over funding. 

Please click here to book a place on this conference to hear more about how your organisation can Get Fit For The Future to ensure that it can survive and thrive.

Co-operatives are a recognised model of trading and a viable alternative to Social Enteprise.  Co-operatives can help voluntary sector organsiations to trade with economic, financial, environmental and social goals.  They are set-up to to service their members (including the local community) who are owners with an equal say in what the co-operative does.  Alongside getting the products and services they need all members help shape the decisions their co-operative makes.   To find out more about co-operatives in general by visiting thereisanalternativecoop and access tools and helpful information.

The Principle Six Business Lunch will offer the opportunity to find out more about how you can enhance the business prospects of your organisation using the tried and and tested co-operative principle of Givers Gain. The lunch aims to bring co-operatives together under one roof to help expand your contacts, offer networking opportunities and provide advice and support.  Download a copy of the Principle Six Business Lunch leaflet to find out more.

Places are limited, so If you would like to learn book a place email: jdevilliers@btinternet.com  You can also visit Co-operative West Midlands website to access information and support.

 SCVO would like to know if you attended this event and if you require support with developing a co-operative.  To discuss your organisations needs, contact Martin Drayton, Project Officer (3Cs) , tel: 0121 525 1127 or email: martind@scvo.info

• negotiating and complying with Local Authority and Health Service contracts, as well as wider fund-raising activity;
• recruiting and deploying sufficient volunteers and securing ongoing training for them;
• working with commissioners to expand the range of services offered to local people and agencies.

The Co-ordinator’s contract will be for 20 hours a week, with some evening working, at a salary of £11,000, and is based in Oldbury.  For an information pack, please call 0121 544 3921, or e-mail cruise.sandwell@btconnect.com.  The closing date for applications is Friday 14th May 2010.