The National Picture - ChangeUp & Capacitybuilders

ChangeUp is the name given to the Governments programme of investment in Charities, Voluntary, Community & Faith Groups - or the Third Sector as they call it - to enable us to make a stronger contribution to the communities we live in.

A large part of this being in the delivery of services historically provided by the Public Sector (Local Authorities, Care Trusts, etc).  The theory being that 'Third Sector organisations can deliver services in a way that other organisations can't and can connect with communities better than anyone else'.

ChangeUp is a vote of confidence in the quality of services the sector provides.

In return, the Government want better efficiencies, assurance on quality and measurable value.

Investment is not just about money. It includes:

• Better skills and training for staff and volunteers

• More activity to encourage more people, from all walks of life, to volunteer

• Better management (governance) of voluntary organisations.

• Improved use of technology (ICT)

• More partnership (Consortium) working to gain economies of scale and a holistic approach.

It also involves money but in a way that means the sector itself becomes more skilled at raising funds. This includes developing 'social enterprises' (not for personal profit companies) that will generate income and provide employment.

It involves a commitment from national and local government to provide longer funding horizons - 3 years initially.

It involves investing wisely in the things that will make a lasting difference.

If the government took all the money they were planning to invest over 10 years and shared it out with every voluntary organisation, everyone would get about £40 a year.  This is hardly going to make a difference.  Instead, they have chosen to invest in the 'Infrastructure'. This means those organisations and resources that help front line groups deliver services. It means planning for and investing in the future.

In their own words ... "Our overall aim is to help create a more effective third sector.  We want every third sector organisation to be able to access high quality support that meets their needs, when they need it.  By improving support, we will strengthen the sector, increasing its ability to create a better quality of life for individuals and communities".

But the good news is they dont intend to dictate what's needed. They are letting the sector decide for itself what's needed. Hence Capacitybuilders - a

national body comprising of key 'Third Sector' people supported by experts from other related organisations.

For example, its Chief Executive was previously at the Charities Aid Foundation.  Another Board member was Chief Executive of Bernardo's.  It's Senior Management team includes people previously with BVSC. It's staff includes people with experience working with the Lottery, Children In Need, etc.

It's head office is in Birmingham - not London!

For more information visit the Capacitybuilders website by clicking here

At a local level it means SUSTAiN - a partnership (Consortium) of Solihull based voluntary organisations developing plans specific to our borough, its needs and the groups working in it.

See our Home Page for who.

And, we are working with similar groups across the West Midlands and the whole of England & Wales to make sure we learn what works best and can share our experience with others.