Current Activities

As a result of consortium members working more closely together, a number of joint projects are being delivered.

Funding Advice and Training in Bedfordshrie and Luton 2009-10
The funding environment for voluntary and community organisation is becoming increasingly competitive. There is also a progressive move away from grants towards contracts. Advice and training on how to secure funding is more important than ever.

The VoluntaryWorks consortium is funded by Capacitybuilders and the Big Lottery Fund to deliver a comprehensive support package across Bedfordshire and Luton.

We offer three main kinds of support:

Training workshops and funder briefings at locations across Bedfordshire

One-to-one advice from our experienced advisers

Information and resources, including updates and funding alerts through newsletters, by email and on the VoluntaryWorks website.

To download our leaflet click here.

Representation and Impact of Local Government Reorganisation
Two-tier local government in Bedfordshire has been reorganised into two unitary authorities covering Bedford Borough and Central Bedfordshire. Over two years, while planning and transformation takes place, the project will enable the Third Sector to become involved within the whole process of local government reorganisation and modernisation. It will establish new Third Sector fora; contribute to the formulation of new strategies, policy and service delivery plans; and involve the sector in a range of new Partnerships.

Procurement
The project provides training and support to enable local voluntary and community organisation to compete for public service contracts. The project would also encourage consortia working where appropriate.

Modernising Volunteering
The need for a constant stream of volunteers has been established through a number of surveys of frontline voluntary, community and public sector organisations as one of their primary requirements. The project is developing a properly funded and structured Volunteer Centre network across Bedfordshire and Luton that is designed to deliver a substantial increase in the number of volunteers and organisations that are better equipped to recruit and retain volunteers.

Further information on the above projects can be found in Delivery Plan 6.

General Advice Information and Development
The project provides generalist advice, information and development services to frontline voluntary and community organisations in order to help them become better equipped to seek funding and stronger service providers for their beneficiaries. Further information on this project, which is funded by the Big Lottery Fund, can be found in our BASIS II Business Plan.

To read about our future projects click here.
To read about our past projects click here.