Wednesday 19th October 2011
12.00 to 1.30pm in Room 2 at The Abbey , Market Square, Daventry NN11
 
Meet with other VCS colleagues for Information
Sharing/Funding ideas/Networking/County and
Regional meeting updates/Support etc.
 
Lunch provided. RSVP Carella on Tel: 01327 300614 for more information and/or to book a place/lunch.

In Northamptonshire we have developed a Compact with all public bodies, a joint effort that is unique and has been well received nationally. The Northamptonshire Compact sets down the ground rules for relationships between the voluntary and community sectors and public bodies:

• It recognises the value and contribution of voluntary action
  
• Sets standards for support to the sector
  
• Promotes clarity from public bodies where decisions are made which affect the voluntary and community sector
  

Northamptonshire Connecting Communities Partnership (a voluntary sector led multi-agency partnership) has supported development of the central Compact document. The Northamptonshire Joint Agencies Voluntary and Community Sector Compact covers the relationship between the voluntary and community sector and public bodies and the Partnership continues supporting the Compact through the development of more detailed Codes of Practice. The Codes cover issues that are important to the sector and to public bodies. They currently cover:

• Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) Voluntary and Community Organisations
  
• Consultation
  
• Funding
• Volunteering
• Community Organisations
  
  

There are about 50 organisations who have already signed up to the Compact document within Daventry District (or organisations that provide localised services within the area) including:

Volunteer Centre Daventry

Daventry & District Citizens Advice Bureau

Daventry & South Northants PCT

Daventry Welfare Rights

Time 2 Talk

Age Concern Northampton and County

Adoption UK

BTCV Northamptonshire

CSV

Mayday Trust

Northamptonshire ACRE

Ability Northants

Northamptonshire Association of Youth Clubs

Northamptonshire Victim Support Scheme

Northamptonshire Children's Resource Centre

Northamptonshire Carers

Relate Northamptonshire

Peterborough Diocesan

Improving relationships locally is critical to the successful implementation of the Compact and associated Codes.

The Compact Website can be found at www.thecompact.org.uk

More information about the Compact can be found at www.niconsortium.org.uk

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• Firstly there is the time factor. Many people believe that volunteering will take up too much of their time and don't realise that in fact how much time they give is entirely up to them. If a potential volunteer can tell easily from your publicity material exactly how much time they will be expected to give, it will help them in deciding whether or not it is suitable for them. It is important to get across to people that even if they only have a couple of hours available a week for voluntary work, there are opportunities for them.
  
• Sometimes people are concerned that they will be asked to do too much, or even to do things that they do not want to do. People should be given a task description detailing what's involved before they make the decision about whether to consider volunteering with the organisation or not. This way potential volunteers will know exactly what they will be expected to do as a volunteer, and feel happier about approaching an organisation to find out more.
  
• Some people worry about going to help at a place that they are unfamiliar with. When a volunteer starts with an organisation it is very important that they receive an induction of some sort. This may be a training course attended over several weeks, or may just be a member of staff spending time with the new volunteer, explaining how the organisation is run, answering questions, and introducing them to existing volunteer know who to speak to in case of any problems.
  
• Unemployed people or those on a low income may think they will not be able to afford to volunteer because of the cost of travel expenses. Most volunteers can be reassured that they will not be out of pocket as a result of volunteering.
  
• Finally, and quite surprisingly, many people say they have never volunteered for anything because they have never been asked! It is important to review your publicity material regularly to check tat it is getting across the right message for you.