Previous Activities

Modernising Volunteering (April 2008 - March 2010)
The need for a constant stream of volunteers had been established through a number of surveys of frontline voluntary, community and public sector organisations as one of their primary requirements. The project developed a properly structured Volunteer Centre network across Bedfordshire and Luton, designed to deliver a substantial increase in the number of volunteers and organisations that were better equipped to recruit and retain volunteers.

Representation and Impact of Local Government Reorganisation (Apirl 2008 - March 2010)
Two-tier local government in Bedfordshire had been reorganised into two unitary authorities covering Bedford Borough and Central Bedfordshire. Over two years, while planning and transition took place, the projectl enabled the Third Sector to become involved within the whole process of local government reorganisation and modernisation. It established new Third Sector fora; contributed to the formulation of new strategies, policy and service delivery plans; and involved the sector in a range of new Partnerships.

Good Governance (October 2006 - March 2008)

This project enabled voluntary organisations and community groups to increase their own capacity and be more effective in the governance of their organisation. The project developed ways of attracting more volunteers to act as trustees and management committee members; worked with voluntary and community organisations to develop their understanding and ability to implement effective governance arrangements; and worked with voluntary and community organisations to increase their capacity to meet their purpose and deliver their missions.

Partnership Working (October 2006 - March 2008)

This project enabled voluntary organisations and community groups to develop and engage in partnership working. The project promoted the concept of working collaboratively, enabling the sector to make informed decisions about whether and how to work collaboratively; supported the work of the Luton Community Empowerment Network (CEN) in continuing its representational role of the wider VCS (known as Luton Assembly) at the Luton Forum (the LSP); enabled the CEN in its representational role to support the work of the newly forming Luton Equalities Agency (LuEA) with a brief to use a multi agency approach to embed community cohesion into all elements of the Community Plan and respond to unlawful discriminatory practice.

Sustainable Funding through Funding Advice (November 2005 - March 2007)

This project developed and strengthened the local VCS infrastructure by providing funding advice services accessible to all groups in Bedfordshire and Luton. It developed the Bedfordshire and Luton Funding Network as a more strategically focused group and ensured funding advice and support dependent on need to 60 groups.

BME Research (November 2005 - March 2007)

This project researched the specific needs of the Black and Minority Ethnic voluntary and community sector and developed a strategy for future delivery. Download A Study of the Infrastructure of BME Groups in Bedfordshire 2006 for more information (Full Report PDF - 417KB).

Sustainable Volunteering (May 2005 - March 2007)

The consortium recognised the need to attract more people into volunteering, through the raising of the profile of Volunteer Centres and volunteering in general. The sustainable volunteering project sought to: re-brand and raise the profile of volunteering and the Volunteer Development Agencies across Bedfordshire & Luton; significantly increase the number of volunteers; and support local groups even more with the retention and management of volunteers.

Capital Improvements (October 2005 - March 2007)

This project raised the effectiveness of Consortium members through improvements in IT infrastructure and premises.

Volunteering in Bedfordshire Research (January 2006 - June 2006)

The Consortium worked in partnership with the Bedfordshire LAA to commission a public opinion survey on the levels of formal volunteering within Bedfordshire using questions from the Government’s Citizenship Survey 2003. The survey included specific sub-samples of respondents from deprived communities and respondents who are young people. The results of this research were widely disseminated and a comprehensive analysis was used to provide baseline data for two of the reward targets agreed with stakeholders. Published October 2006, the Full Report (PDF - 641KB) can be downloaded or you can view the summary.

MKSM Social Infrastructure Research (January 2006 - June 2006)

This project researched the current and future social infrastructure needs of the Milton Keynes and South Midlands Growth Area and the creation of new communities. The research has had considerable impact on the work of the MKSM Board and its EQOL sub-Group, the Local Delivery Vehicles, local authorities and public sector organisations across the MKSM growth Area, as well as the voluntary and community sector. The results have been disseminated widely within the growth area, to the Home Office and the ODPM, as well as a range of national voluntary and community sector organisations. Published September 2006. Download the Full Report (PDF - 774KB) or view the summary.

Community Engagement in Luton Research (January 2006 - June 2006)

This project involved Voluntary Action Luton (as a member of the Consortium) to work with the Luton LAA to undertake research on the levels of community engagement through participation in decision making structures and also the level of community and voluntary sector involvement in decision making and community activity in identified neighbourhood areas and through the Luton Assembly.

Improving Reach (May 2005 - June 2006)

Consortium members recognised the need to improve their knowledge of just how big the voluntary and community sector is, its economic and social value, and its needs over the next 10 years. The improving reach project sought to: undertake a detailed mapping exercise of the entire sector, particularly looking at the 'hard-to-reach' groups; and improve communication and monitoring systems in consortium member organisations to help improve services. See the projects State of the Sector 2006 report for further details. Published December 2005. Download Full Report (PDF - 350KB) or view summary.

Workforce Development (November 2005 - March 2006)

This project was to develop and strengthen the support needs of frontline VCS organisations through the development of a Workforce Development Strategy for Bedfordshire and Luton . It was to undertake research and analysis of the needs and priorities of local voluntary organisations and community groups to the development and delivery of accredited training with the development of appropriate learning materials. To also develop a range of learning materials for use on non-accredited training workshops, accredited courses.

Resourcing a Merger (November 2005 - March 2006)

This project supported the costs of three consortium members to research and implement a merger to improve their services.

Sustainable Funding through Social Enterprise and Procurement (May 2005 - March 2006)

The consortium is keen to ensure that the voluntary and community sector is best placed to access more sustainable funding. This project sought to: build on existing work in Luton by making local groups more sustainable through advice on business planning, identifying trading opportunities, etc; and undertake research into the statutory sector's understanding of the voluntary and community sector in the context of procurement of services and identify how the sector can prepare more for procurement. See the projects Social Enterprise and Public Sector Procurement report for further details. Published December 2005. Download Full Report (PDF - 379KB)

Web Portal and Website Development (May 2005 - March 2006)

This project sought to: develop a single consortium web portal to help identify the appropriate organisation for assistance (this website: www.voluntaryworks.org.uk); develop individual websites alongside the common portal to provide local groups with lots of relevant information and advice; and develop an online database of voluntary organisations.

Building Rural Community Capacity (March 2005 - March 2006)

This project piloted work with a number of Community Liaison Forums engaging local rural communities and the voluntary and community sector in determining and representing local needs.

Back Office Services Feasibility Study (May 2005-December 2005)

The consortium undertook a study into the sharing of 'back office' services between voluntary organisations. The project sought to: consider good practice and different models for sharing back office services; and identify potential areas for groups in Bedfordshire to make savings through back office sharing. Poor quality data lead to the project being abandoned.