Future activities

The Consortium is currently seeking funding to enable the following projects to be undertaken.

Partnership Working Skills 
Work undertaken by the local authorities, other statutory agencies and partnerships is more engaging with the Third Sector and there is a general consensus that all agencies can improve their collaborative and partnership working. 

The project will enable Third Sector organisations to develop and engage in partnership working.  It will promote the concept of working collaboratively, enabling the sector to make informed decisions about whether and how to work collaboratively. Local Third Sector organisations will gain the skills, knowledge, structures and resources to develop their partnership working arrangements.

Community Empowerment
Bedfordshire and Luton is affected by significant levels of inward migration. The Consortium has recognised the need to build cohesion through engagement with newly arrived communities and migrant workers, empowering them to participate effectively in local communities and place shaping, particularly within neighbourhoods, towns and parishes.

Social Enterprise
Within the voluntary and community sector there are significant numbers of organisations that are looking to develop greater financial sustainability.  These organisations need to understand how they can adopt a social enterprise approach to their work, the issues they need to address and the development needs they may have. We will seek to increase social enterprise awareness using a variety of media and events; and offer intensive one-to-one information, advice and guidance, training and networking opportunities to organisations.

Marketing and Communications
The value of a strong brand lies in the impression left with anyone who comes into contact with the branded product. It is imperative that the Third Sector must be aware of its brand image; this is how its customers view their organisation. The project will enable the sector to develop its marketing and communication strategies and skills through training courses, one-to-one sessions and mentoring.

Community Accountancy
Community Accountancy is becoming increasingly established as a means by which Third Sector organisations can acquire the skills needed to run their financial affairs. The project will provide financial advice, information and training to the trustees and officers of local Third Sector organisations.  It will also offer low-cost payroll services, preparation of final accounts and independent examination of accounts.

IT Support and Advice
The provision of IT support and advice to local Third Sector organisations through newsletters, information sheets, online advice guides, training courses and workshops as well as consultancy to enable them develop and implement a strategy that meets their IT needs and improve their overall effectiveness. The project would consist of a full-time ‘Circuit Rider’ providing technical advice and support together with a part-time Project Co-ordinator who would support the ‘Circuit Rider’ to run and promote the project.

Improving Quality
Funders are increasingly expecting applicants to demonstrate that they are providing services that are of a high quality, through the use of PQASSO and other standards. The project will provide support, guidance and advice to local Third Sector organisations that want to work towards an appropriate quality standard or framework.