pulse july 2011 v2

Published quarterly by the Gloucestershire Association for Voluntary and Community Action (GAVCA) July 2011

Welcome to the summer editionof PULSE... but it doesn’t feel like things

are slowing down for a restful summer!

It’s not only the weather that remainschangeable: GAVCA continues to develop andgrow with exciting new services on offer toour members, including payroll services; anew, more interactive website in the pipeline;new staff joining us in Gloucester; and newsupport services soon to be available togroups in the north of the county. We’rehopeful, too, that plans for the ChequersBridge Youth Centre to be developed as anew community-led resource centre, willcome to fruition.

Volunteering has never been in the limelightso much as it is now, with the County Councillooking for volunteers to take on the runningof libraries and youth services and manycommunity groups relying more andmore on volunteers to help themcope with increasing demandfor their services andshrinking income.

But volunteers, by definition, give their timewillingly because they want to: they will notbe coerced or pressured into taking on rolesthat they don’t feel comfortable with, if theydon’t feel they have the skills, time or if theyfeel they are being somehow exploited.

So it’s important that you take the time tothink creatively about how you might involvevolunteers in your organisation in ways thatare mutually beneficial and make sure thatyou have the proper procedures in place torecruit the right volunteers, support themproperly and keep them safe.

However, you don’t need to re-invent thewheel: we can help you make sure you knowwhat you’re doing and put you in touch withothers who are facing the same challenges sothat you can learn from each other.

Read on to find out how wecan help!

Sally PickeringChief Executive, GAVCA

Concentrate on what the volunteer can do, not whatthey can’t do.

Discuss with the individual what is available and thesupport that’s needed.

Be aware that health may fluctuate.

Encourage social interaction between allvolunteers and staff.

People with learning difficulties and non-Englishspeakers may find it difficult to work with

documents – keep language simple, use photos,pictures.

Identify specific funding and specialist organisationsto work with target group.

Keep it flexible - develop a range of volunteeringopportunities.

Show volunteers can make useful contributionsrelating to working with people with ill health,

disabilities and or extraordinary circumstances -collect success stories for your Annual Report!

3. Ask for support if YOU need it

Not sure what to do to recruit a more inclusive pool of

volunteers or better support the volunteers you already

have? Then remember that GAVCA’s Volunteering

Services are here to support you and your organisation

too! We can provide advice, guidance, best practice

examples and give you opportunities to network with

other organisations to share your experiences.

We would also like to hear from you if your organisation

has the resources to offer volunteering opportunities for

people with extra support needs. Just get in touch!

How to get in touch

Contact Gabi Gogan at GAVCA by:

Ringing her direct line on 01452 509707

Phoning GAVCA Reception 01452 332424

Emailing [email protected]

Alternatively, why not come to one of our Volunteer

Managers’ Network meetings? These informal get-

togethers are a chance for colleagues to share

experiences of managing volunteers, and take place every

month at GAVCA. Contact Gabi if you’d like to come

along.

Look out, too, for more information in the autumn about

an event to help you think about how to attract more

young volunteers.We have found that one of the reasons that a volunteering

placement may not go well may be because of concerns or

queries about additional support needed by the volunteer.

We recognise that there are many people who would like

to be helping local charities, but who may need some

additional support. So what should you do if a potential

volunteer lets you know that they have additional

support needs?

1. Remember that everyone is different

Somebody wanting to volunteer may request some extra

support for any number of reasons, including low

confidence after a period of unemployment, physical

disabilities or health conditions, learning disabilities,

mental health issues, homelessness, or having English as a

second language.

Even if your organisation has previously had volunteers

with similar needs, you should not assume you know what

support is wanted... Instead, why not ask? Most people

would be happy to explain what, if anything, they need

from you to enable them to volunteer for you happily and

effectively.

2. Think about the positives

Broadening the pool of people who are volunteering for

your organisation can bring many benefits, including

introducing new ideas and experiences and allowing you

to better reflect the communities you serve.

Your organisation may well have an Equality and Diversity

policy that aims to increase the diversity of your staff—

why not extend this aim to your volunteers as well?

©G

ary

Sim

mon

s, F

lickr

.com

Make yourvolunteering

opportunitiesmore

inclusive 8 Good Practice Tips for Inclusivity:

Here at GAVCA, we work withorganisations needing volunteers,

as well as with members of thepublic keen to give something

back to their communities.

Matching a volunteer with avolunteering placement is

sometimes a tricky business, andwe realise that not all matches

are successful, but we provide asmuch support as we can to make

the volunteer placement apositive experience for all

concerned.

Volunteer Management Best Practice—specialist courses for volunteer managers

Are you a manager of volunteers? Would you like toimprove your skills and develop your knowledge ofdifferent aspects of recruiting, selecting and retainingvolunteers?

Then why not take one of these three courses, specificallydesigned by GAVCA to meet your needs as a volunteermanager?Recruiting and Selecting VolunteersVolunteers and the LawManaging and Supporting Volunteers

All participants of these courses for volunteer managerscan choose to have their course accredited at OCN level 3,which is a nationally-recognised qualification.

GAVCA Training provides specialist training which isdesigned to meet the needs of the voluntary andcommunity sector in Gloucestershire.

To apply for these courses, or find out about othercourses we offer, visit the GAVCA website atwww.gavca.org.uk or contact our Training Co-ordinatorby emailing [email protected]

Alternatively, take a look at the back page of thisnewsletter for more information.

GAVCA Training

mailto:[email protected]

www.gavca.org.uk


A well thought out design with solid foundations:

The Gloucestershire Compact is an agreement

between local public sector bodies and voluntary and

community organisations to support and improve

partnership working between the sectors. It sets out

the values, principles and commitments needed to

underpin the development of mutually beneficial

relationships between the sectors.

A sturdy roof: The Compact safeguards the

independence of the voluntary and community sector

(VCS), including its right within the law to campaign

and challenge public policy and the right to manage

its own affairs..

A welcoming kitchen: Better commissioning means

better outcomes for local people and the Compact

provides a framework for fair and effective funding

and commissioning processes, including VCS

involvement in the design and delivery of services.

Your invitation: You cannot challenge the principles

of the Compact unless you are signed up to work

towards the achievement of its undertakings, so why

not sign up today at www.gloshub.org.uk/compact/

compact-codes

Don't wait until things go

wrong before using the

Compact: use it as a tool to improve your

relationships and your own organisation.

The surrounding environment: The principles of the

Compact are well embedded in Gloucestershire,

helping to achieve tangible and positive results for

local people. For example, effective partnership

working between the sectors has resulted in the co-

production of important local strategies including the

Gloucestershire Ageing Well Strategy.

The caretakers: The Gloucestershire Compact Group

is a well established multi-sector working group

supported by GAVCA, that oversees the development

and implementation of the local Compact. Members

act as Compact Champions, raising the profile of the

Compact and supporting partners to use it. To find

out who your Compact champion is go to

www.gloshub.org.uk/compact/compact-group

For more information contact Hannah Gorf

by emailing [email protected] or

ringing 01452 522600.

The Gloucestershire Compact:An intelligent building

The Gloucestershire Compact, which was first launched in 2006, has

recently been refreshed to keep it relevant and useful in the

changing environments of the public and voluntary sectors.

Here Hannah Gorf, Partnership Support Officer, explains what the

Gloucestershire Compact is, and why it is relevant to you.

All images of houses on this page ©Birdie Goes Dancing, Flickr.com

Han

nah

Gor

f, ©

GA

VCA

Any organisation

which uses

volunteers will need

to ensure that those

individuals are

suitable for the roles

they will carry out. A

CRB (Criminal

Records Bureau)

check can help.

What does a CRB check cover?

A criminal record check (or ‘Disclosure’) will contain details

of an applicant’s criminal record, including convictions and

spent convictions, cautions, reprimands and warnings held

on the Police National Computer. Checks will also be

carried out to see whether the person is on the Sex

Offenders’ register. Depending on the client group

indicated on the application form, the lists of people

considered unsuitable to work with children or vulnerable

adults will also be checked. An Enhanced Disclosure will

also document any local police intelligence.

A criminal record check should never be seen as a

replacement for carrying out a proper recruitment

procedure and implementing appropriate supervision. The

absence of a criminal record does not necessarily mean

that the person is suitable as a volunteer. Similarly, a

criminal record should not automatically disbar any

potential volunteer.

Screening In the Round

There are several steps you can take to better judge the

suitability of your prospective volunteer:

Conduct a face-to-face interview

Take up references

Delay the volunteering start until you have received the

CRB disclosure (remember that this may take some

time, so factor it into your recruitment process).

Have a trial period - this is also helpful to give

volunteers a taste of the role, and an opportunity to

leave without embarrassment if they do not enjoy it.

Provide a thorough induction and adequate training -

these help to ensure that volunteers are aware of their

roles, what they are and are not expected to do, where

their boundaries are and so on.

Good supervision is also important - as with any form of

volunteering, small problems can become large ones if

they are not noticed and addressed early on.

The Vetting and Barring Scheme

Many organisations were preparing for the

implementation of the ISA Vetting & Barring Scheme

which was to take effect from July 2010. However,

following the change of Government, The Home Office is

currently reviewing the scheme and considering a more

common sense approach.

Rehabilitation of Offenders

Around 20% of the population have a criminal record

(including one in three of men under 30) and not all

criminal records would bar someone from volunteering

with children or vulnerable adults. So your organisation

needs to consider whether the convictions are relevant to

the position they applied for.

Where the person is asked about convictions or a criminal

record check is undertaken, points to be considered, and

where appropriate discussed with the volunteer, include:

the nature of the offence

the nature of the volunteering

the length of time since the offence

the frequency and/or pattern of offending.

Risk Assessment

Any organisation involving volunteers would need to risk

assess their volunteering opportunities and decide

accordingly if a CRB check is

appropriate and necessary.

If you would like

information and advice,

contact our Volunteering

Service Manager

[email protected]

Screening your Volunteers

Share Your Photos!

GAVCA is building a gallery ofphotos of the voluntary

sector in Gloucestershire forour ‘Essence of

Gloucestershire’ campaign.

Find out more & take part atwww.flickr.com/groups/

essenceofglos/

www.gloshub.org.uk/compact/




A well thought out design with solid foundations:

The Gloucestershire Compact is an agreement

between local public sector bodies and voluntary and

community organisations to support and improve

partnership working between the sectors. It sets out

the values, principles and commitments needed to

underpin the development of mutually beneficial

relationships between the sectors.

A sturdy roof: The Compact safeguards the

independence of the voluntary and community sector

(VCS), including its right within the law to campaign

and challenge public policy and the right to manage

its own affairs..

A welcoming kitchen: Better commissioning means

better outcomes for local people and the Compact

provides a framework for fair and effective funding

and commissioning processes, including VCS

involvement in the design and delivery of services.

Your invitation: You cannot challenge the principles

of the Compact unless you are signed up to work

towards the achievement of its undertakings, so why

not sign up today at www.gloshub.org.uk/compact/

compact-codes

Don't wait until things go

wrong before using the

Compact: use it as a tool to improve your

relationships and your own organisation.

The surrounding environment: The principles of the

Compact are well embedded in Gloucestershire,

helping to achieve tangible and positive results for

local people. For example, effective partnership

working between the sectors has resulted in the co-

production of important local strategies including the

Gloucestershire Ageing Well Strategy.

The caretakers: The Gloucestershire Compact Group

is a well established multi-sector working group

supported by GAVCA, that oversees the development

and implementation of the local Compact. Members

act as Compact Champions, raising the profile of the

Compact and supporting partners to use it. To find

out who your Compact champion is go to


For more information contact Hannah Gorf

by emailing [email protected] or

ringing 01452 522600.

The Gloucestershire Compact:An intelligent building

The Gloucestershire Compact, which was first launched in 2006, has

recently been refreshed to keep it relevant and useful in the

changing environments of the public and voluntary sectors.

Here Hannah Gorf, Partnership Support Officer, explains what the

Gloucestershire Compact is, and why it is relevant to you.

All images of houses on this page ©Birdie Goes Dancing, Flickr.com

Han

nah

Gor

f, ©

GA

VCA

Any organisation

which uses

volunteers will need

to ensure that those

individuals are

suitable for the roles

they will carry out. A

CRB (Criminal

Records Bureau)

check can help.

What does a CRB check cover?

A criminal record check (or ‘Disclosure’) will contain details

of an applicant’s criminal record, including convictions and

spent convictions, cautions, reprimands and warnings held

on the Police National Computer. Checks will also be

carried out to see whether the person is on the Sex

Offenders’ register. Depending on the client group

indicated on the application form, the lists of people

considered unsuitable to work with children or vulnerable

adults will also be checked. An Enhanced Disclosure will

also document any local police intelligence.

A criminal record check should never be seen as a

replacement for carrying out a proper recruitment

procedure and implementing appropriate supervision. The

absence of a criminal record does not necessarily mean

that the person is suitable as a volunteer. Similarly, a

criminal record should not automatically disbar any

potential volunteer.

Screening In the Round

There are several steps you can take to better judge the

suitability of your prospective volunteer:

Conduct a face-to-face interview

Take up references

Delay the volunteering start until you have received the

CRB disclosure (remember that this may take some

time, so factor it into your recruitment process).

Have a trial period - this is also helpful to give

volunteers a taste of the role, and an opportunity to

leave without embarrassment if they do not enjoy it.

Provide a thorough induction and adequate training -

these help to ensure that volunteers are aware of their

roles, what they are and are not expected to do, where

their boundaries are and so on.

Good supervision is also important - as with any form of

volunteering, small problems can become large ones if

they are not noticed and addressed early on.

The Vetting and Barring Scheme

Many organisations were preparing for the

implementation of the ISA Vetting & Barring Scheme

which was to take effect from July 2010. However,

following the change of Government, The Home Office is

currently reviewing the scheme and considering a more

common sense approach.

Rehabilitation of Offenders

Around 20% of the population have a criminal record

(including one in three of men under 30) and not all

criminal records would bar someone from volunteering

with children or vulnerable adults. So your organisation

needs to consider whether the convictions are relevant to

the position they applied for.

Where the person is asked about convictions or a criminal

record check is undertaken, points to be considered, and

where appropriate discussed with the volunteer, include:

the nature of the offence

the nature of the volunteering

the length of time since the offence

the frequency and/or pattern of offending.

Risk Assessment

Any organisation involving volunteers would need to risk

assess their volunteering opportunities and decide

accordingly if a CRB check is

appropriate and necessary.

If you would like

information and advice,

contact our Volunteering

Service Manager

[email protected]

Screening your Volunteers

Share Your Photos!

GAVCA is building a gallery ofphotos of the voluntary

sector in Gloucestershire forour ‘Essence of

Gloucestershire’ campaign.

Find out more & take part atwww.flickr.com/groups/

essenceofglos/

www.flickr.com/groups/essenceofglos/

www.gloshub.org.uk/compact/




Gloucester’s City VisionMembers of the Gloucester VCS Forum have been

imagining what they would like Gloucester to be like in 10

years time. At their last meeting in June, they took part in

the Gloucester Partnership’s consultation on its draft City

Vision which will be a vision that is shared by all partners

and the wider community, of where they want to see

Gloucester in the future. This vision will guide partners’

priorities over the coming years.

Another document, the City Plan, was also discussed,

which will complement the vision and be a plan for the

physical development of the city. The possibility of

neighbourhood forums developing neighbourhood plans,

as described in the new Localism Bill, was discussed by the

forum with a strong view emerging that existing structures

such as the neighbourhood partnerships should be

supported to be able to take on this role, rather than

setting up new structures.

All voluntary organisations are encouraged to have their

say on the Vision and also to encourage their members to

take part in the consultation by filing in a quick online

survey which can be found

at www.gloucesterpartnership.org.uk

The consultation is open until Tuesday 23 August.

Can your roof make youmoney?If your group owns its own

building, whether it’s a

community centre, village hall

or sports club, have you

thought about harnessing

sun’s energy to earn a

sustainable income for

your organisation or your

community?

The Gloucestershire Resource Centre is leading the way by

developing the county’s first community-owned solar

power station: a bank of 192 solar panels are planned for

the roof of City Works in Alfred Street. The panels will

provide free electricity to the building and will also give

everyone in the community a chance to invest in

renewable energy and benefit from the feed-in tariff and

from the sale of surplus electricity generated.

This project is being supported by the Solar Coop who are

also on the lookout for other sites, including community,

religious or public buildings, for similar projects.

For more information contact Solar Coop at

gloucs@thesolarcoop

Tewkesbury cupcake maker Charmaine Capener has

helped to thank those hard working volunteers who gave

their time during Volunteers’ Week. Charmaine, who runs

Charmaine’s Cupcakes, responded to an appeal to donate

some sweet treats to volunteers throughout the county.

A hundred volunteers received a delicious cupcake

personally delivered by the Volunteering Gloucestershire

‘thank you squad’, who visited volunteers in Cheltenham,

Gloucester, Tewkesbury, Cirencester, Stroud and Coleford.

Volunteering Gloucestershire, (a partnership between

GAVCA and Third Sector Services), receives more than

1,000 enquiries from people wanting to volunteer each

year, from all parts of the community and with diverse

skills to offer. To find out what volunteering opportunities

are available in your area, call 0845 310 5337 or visit

www.volunteerglos.org.uk

Cupcake-maker helps bring smiles to faces of volunteers across the county

Cupcake delivery at GARAS ©Volunteering Gloucestershire

©Living Off Grid , Flickr.com

New Team Member for GAVCAGAVCA is pleased to welcome Jane

Jarman who will soon join us as a

development worker. Jane comes with a

wealth of experience of working in the

voluntary sector and, most recently,

working for a local grant giving body. Jane

will be particularly focussing on supporting groups which

work in Gloucester, whilst Mary Boucher will be moving to

our Cheltenham office and turning her attention to

offering support to groups in Cheltenham, the Cotswolds

and Tewkesbury Borough.

GAVCA aims to help organisations improve their

effectiveness. Whether you are a well established group

or a group of people looking to create a new organisation

Jane and Mary can offer you practical support covering

everything from getting the right organisational structure

and governing documents, developing policies and

procedures and business planning and funding advice.

GAVCA also coordinates local VCS Forums in Cheltenham,

Gloucester and Tewkesbury Borough. These Forums offer

ideal opportunities to bring VCS organisations together to

inform them of new developments, share experiences

and elect accountable VCS Reps to multi-sector

partnerships.

For more information, contact:

Angela Gilbert: [email protected] 01242 227737

Mary Boucher: [email protected] 01242 227737

Jane Jarman: [email protected] 01452 332424.

©Jane Jarman

GAVCA Annual General MeetingTuesday 27 September 2011, 1pm – 4pm

at the Guildhall, Gloucester

Enabling Participation: What does this meanfor your organisation?

This participatory event will help you explore whichof the many types of participation could work best for

your organisation.

Be inspired: keynote speaker to be announcedBe informed: find out what others are doingBe inspired: to increase participation in your

organisationBe supported: find out how GAVCA can help you to

develop your organisation, and meet others whocan work with you.

Make a note in your diary now!

Chequers Bridge UpdateDespite fears from current tenants, who have been given

notice to move out, there are still hopes that the

Chequers Bridge Youth Centre in Gloucester can be saved

and retained as a resource for the local community.

GAVCA has been working hard over the past few months,

along with other potential partners, to bring together

individuals and community groups interested in taking up

the County Council’s “Big Community Offer” of the lease

of the building at a peppercorn rent and turning it into a

community hub.

There has been a great response from a wide variety of

people: from larger charities who are keen to expand

their services by renting office space on the site, to

smaller community groups who would like to use shared

office space, and from people looking for a venue to run

all kinds of groups and courses.

A final business case must be submitted to the County

Council by the end of July and a decision on the lease will

be made soon afterwards, with the building being handed

over as soon as is practicable after that. If you are

interested to know more or to get involved, please

contact Sally Pickering on 01452 509700 or email

[email protected].

AugustCheltenham VCS Forum: Thursday 4th, 7pm to 9pm

SeptemberTewkesbury VCS Forum: Monday 5th, 2pm to 4pmGloucester VCS Forum: Monday 12th, 10.30am to 12.30GAVCA AGM: Tuesday 27th, 1pm to 4pm (see below)

OctoberCheltenham VCS Forum: Monday 3rd, 10am to 12pmTrustees Event: Wednesday 5th, 6pm to 9pm

NovemberFunding Fair : Friday 18th, more details tbc

Dates for your Diary

www.flickr.com/groups/essenceofglos/

www.gloucesterpartnership.org.uk

mailto:gloucs@thesolarcoop






Gloucester’s City VisionMembers of the Gloucester VCS Forum have been

imagining what they would like Gloucester to be like in 10

years time. At their last meeting in June, they took part in

the Gloucester Partnership’s consultation on its draft City

Vision which will be a vision that is shared by all partners

and the wider community, of where they want to see

Gloucester in the future. This vision will guide partners’

priorities over the coming years.

Another document, the City Plan, was also discussed,

which will complement the vision and be a plan for the

physical development of the city. The possibility of

neighbourhood forums developing neighbourhood plans,

as described in the new Localism Bill, was discussed by the

forum with a strong view emerging that existing structures

such as the neighbourhood partnerships should be

supported to be able to take on this role, rather than

setting up new structures.

All voluntary organisations are encouraged to have their

say on the Vision and also to encourage their members to

take part in the consultation by filing in a quick online

survey which can be found

at www.gloucesterpartnership.org.uk

The consultation is open until Tuesday 23 August.

Can your roof make youmoney?If your group owns its own

building, whether it’s a

community centre, village hall

or sports club, have you

thought about harnessing

sun’s energy to earn a

sustainable income for

your organisation or your

community?

The Gloucestershire Resource Centre is leading the way by

developing the county’s first community-owned solar

power station: a bank of 192 solar panels are planned for

the roof of City Works in Alfred Street. The panels will

provide free electricity to the building and will also give

everyone in the community a chance to invest in

renewable energy and benefit from the feed-in tariff and

from the sale of surplus electricity generated.

This project is being supported by the Solar Coop who are

also on the lookout for other sites, including community,

religious or public buildings, for similar projects.

For more information contact Solar Coop at

gloucs@thesolarcoop

Tewkesbury cupcake maker Charmaine Capener has

helped to thank those hard working volunteers who gave

their time during Volunteers’ Week. Charmaine, who runs

Charmaine’s Cupcakes, responded to an appeal to donate

some sweet treats to volunteers throughout the county.

A hundred volunteers received a delicious cupcake

personally delivered by the Volunteering Gloucestershire

‘thank you squad’, who visited volunteers in Cheltenham,

Gloucester, Tewkesbury, Cirencester, Stroud and Coleford.

Volunteering Gloucestershire, (a partnership between

GAVCA and Third Sector Services), receives more than

1,000 enquiries from people wanting to volunteer each

year, from all parts of the community and with diverse

skills to offer. To find out what volunteering opportunities

are available in your area, call 0845 310 5337 or visit


Cupcake-maker helps bring smiles to faces of volunteers across the county

Cupcake delivery at GARAS ©Volunteering Gloucestershire

©Living Off Grid , Flickr.com

New Team Member for GAVCAGAVCA is pleased to welcome Jane

Jarman who will soon join us as a

development worker. Jane comes with a

wealth of experience of working in the

voluntary sector and, most recently,

working for a local grant giving body. Jane

will be particularly focussing on supporting groups which

work in Gloucester, whilst Mary Boucher will be moving to

our Cheltenham office and turning her attention to

offering support to groups in Cheltenham, the Cotswolds

and Tewkesbury Borough.

GAVCA aims to help organisations improve their

effectiveness. Whether you are a well established group

or a group of people looking to create a new organisation

Jane and Mary can offer you practical support covering

everything from getting the right organisational structure

and governing documents, developing policies and

procedures and business planning and funding advice.

GAVCA also coordinates local VCS Forums in Cheltenham,

Gloucester and Tewkesbury Borough. These Forums offer

ideal opportunities to bring VCS organisations together to

inform them of new developments, share experiences

and elect accountable VCS Reps to multi-sector

partnerships.

For more information, contact:

Angela Gilbert: [email protected] 01242 227737

Mary Boucher: [email protected] 01242 227737

Jane Jarman: [email protected] 01452 332424.

©Jane Jarman

GAVCA Annual General MeetingTuesday 27 September 2011, 1pm – 4pm

at the Guildhall, Gloucester

Enabling Participation: What does this meanfor your organisation?

This participatory event will help you explore whichof the many types of participation could work best for

your organisation.

Be inspired: keynote speaker to be announcedBe informed: find out what others are doingBe inspired: to increase participation in your

organisationBe supported: find out how GAVCA can help you to

develop your organisation, and meet others whocan work with you.

Make a note in your diary now!

Chequers Bridge UpdateDespite fears from current tenants, who have been given

notice to move out, there are still hopes that the

Chequers Bridge Youth Centre in Gloucester can be saved

and retained as a resource for the local community.

GAVCA has been working hard over the past few months,

along with other potential partners, to bring together

individuals and community groups interested in taking up

the County Council’s “Big Community Offer” of the lease

of the building at a peppercorn rent and turning it into a

community hub.

There has been a great response from a wide variety of

people: from larger charities who are keen to expand

their services by renting office space on the site, to

smaller community groups who would like to use shared

office space, and from people looking for a venue to run

all kinds of groups and courses.

A final business case must be submitted to the County

Council by the end of July and a decision on the lease will

be made soon afterwards, with the building being handed

over as soon as is practicable after that. If you are

interested to know more or to get involved, please

contact Sally Pickering on 01452 509700 or email

[email protected].

AugustCheltenham VCS Forum: Thursday 4th, 7pm to 9pm

SeptemberTewkesbury VCS Forum: Monday 5th, 2pm to 4pmGloucester VCS Forum: Monday 12th, 10.30am to 12.30GAVCA AGM: Tuesday 27th, 1pm to 4pm (see below)

OctoberCheltenham VCS Forum: Monday 3rd, 10am to 12pmTrustees Event: Wednesday 5th, 6pm to 9pm

NovemberFunding Fair : Friday 18th, more details tbc

Dates for your Diary

www.gloucesterpartnership.org.uk

mailto:gloucs@thesolarcoop






The sun is still shining and we are all lookingforward to a great Summer holiday. Once youare all back from your summer break, keep aneye out for your GAVCA training brochure thatshould be with you by the beginning ofSeptember!

We are running our Accredited VolunteerManagers Best Practice series from October –Recruiting and Selecting Volunteers, Managingand Supporting Volunteers and Volunteers andthe Law. You can choose whether to study theaccredited option and receive a credit whichcan go towards a qualification in thefuture.

We also have courses in Youth work,Fundraising, Sustainability,Safeguarding and a few new ones suchas ‘Working with volunteers withadditional support needs’ and‘Effective Client Support’.

Our training fees are frozen again forthis term so we can continue to deliverexcellent value for money training that

meets the needs of the voluntary andcommunity sector.

To keep updated, e-mail your name,organisation, telephone number and e-mailaddress to [email protected] and join ourTraining Mailing List. You will then haveinformation on training as soon as it isavailable.

Or visit www.gavca.org.uk to see our newtraining pages – full of information, forms,brochures and lots more.

Pulse is published by GAVCA. Please address any comments or queries to Honey Lucas, Information Officer at GAVCA, by emailing [email protected] or by ringing 01452 332424.

GAVCA: Registered Charity No. 1068715, Company Limited by Guarantee, Registered in England & Wales No.: 3501904.

GAVCA is a local development and support organisation that works to strengthen the voluntary and communitysector (VCS) in Gloucestershire through training, information and representation.

GAVCABeatrice Webb House, 75-81 Eastgate Street, Gloucester GL1 1PN

01452 332424 | [email protected] | www.gavca.org.uk | Twitter: @GAVCAGlos

GAVCA in CheltenhamCommunity Resource Centre, 340 Lower High Street, Cheltenham GL50 3JF

01242 227737 | [email protected]

GAVCA Partnerships Team is a service of GAVCABeatrice Webb House, 75-81 Eastgate Street, Gloucester GL1 1PN

01452 522600 | [email protected]

Coming up in GAVCA Training this Autumn

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mailto:@GAVCAGlos



pulse july 2011 v2

Economy & Finance

youth services

payroll services

right volunteers

exciting new services

ways thatsupport services

services andshrinking

themcan help

resource centre