York and North Yorkshire Infrastructure Consortium Supporting the Third Sector to thrive Helen Black Chief Executive North Yorkshire Forum for Voluntary Organisations

York and North Yorkshire Infrastructure Consortium Supporting the Third Sector to thrive The Third Sector in North Yorkshire York and North Yorkshire Infrastructure Consortium The Environment for Thriving Third Sector? Any questions

York and North Yorkshire Infrastructure Consortium Supporting the Third Sector to thrive What is the third sector? An umbrella term, which includes voluntary organisations and community groups (both registered charities and other organisations), social enterprises, faith based groups, mutuals & co operatives who: Are independent of national, regional, and local government Are ‘value driven’ - that is they pursue economic, social or environmental objectives rather than primarily aiming to make a profit Reinvest any surpluses in the pursuit of their objectives Are run by trustee boards who are unpaid volunteers

York and North Yorkshire Infrastructure Consortium Supporting the Third Sector to thirve Third Sector in York and North Yorkshire Research by Teesside University in 2008 estimates About 3,000 TSOs in the area About 5,000 full-time and 5,500 part-time staff Size of workforce risen between 15-25% Between 12-15,000 trustee / board places Revenue of sector about £270m Value of volunteering about £103m, 207,000 working days Contribution to GDP about 1.5-3%

York and North Yorkshire Infrastructure Consortium Supporting the Third Sector to thirve Third Sector in York and North Yorkshire Teesside University research also found 77% are more than 10 years old 13% are 5-10 years old 98% expect to achieve long term sustainability. The sector does not anticipate real problems in recruitment of staff and volunteers 35-40% expect their income to rise and only about % think income will decrease

York and North Yorkshire Infrastructure Consortium Supporting the Third Sector to thirve Third Sector in North Yorkshire Organisations range from local community groups to affiliates or branches of national charities for example; RNIB; Alzheimer's Societies; Wildlife Trusts; Carers Resource Centres, Age Concerns; Disability Action Groups; MIND; Rural Transport providers, Tourist Information Centres……………

York and North Yorkshire Infrastructure Consortium Supporting the Third Sector to thrive Third Sector in North Yorkshire Provide a wealth of information, and a wide and services for the people and communities in North Yorkshire and include; Youth groups; sports groups; local play organisations; uniformed groups; environmental and conservation groups, arts and cultural groups; training and learning providers; advocacy groups; community centres, village Halls, self help groups…………

York and North Yorkshire Infrastructure Consortium Supporting the Third Sector to thrive York and North Yorkshire Infrastructure Consortium Partnership of 15 local and 2 sub regional Infrastructure Organisations, that provide services and support for the third sector across York and North Yorkshire. Established in 2004, the Consortium is currently funded by Capacitybuilders to support the modernisation of infrastructure in York and North Yorkshire. NYFVO is the lead and accountable body.

York and North Yorkshire Infrastructure Consortium Supporting the Third Sector to thrive

Vision Our vision is that third sector organisations are achieving their full potential in meeting the needs and aspirations of all the diverse communities they serve. Mission To ensure that sustainable, effective and accessible infrastructure support is available to third sector organisations throughout York and North Yorkshire.

York and North Yorkshire Infrastructure Consortium Supporting the Third Sector to thrive Local Infrastructure Organisations Funding Advice Practical support e.g. meeting room hire, photocopying, equipment loan and office space Voluntary Sector networks, local and district information Representing and supporting VCS representation on Local Strategic Partnerships Volunteer recruitment and management Policies and procedures and support to run your organisation Charity law and governance

York and North Yorkshire Infrastructure Consortium Supporting the Third Sector North Yorkshire Forum for Voluntary Organisations Employment Advice Service Information: NYFVOnet and community care briefings VCS Directory Funding Advice Network Children and Young Peoples VCS networks Strategic work to support the development of Local Area Agreement VCS representation across the North Yorkshire Strategic Partnership Training Programme and in house training for trustees CRB Disclosure service

York and North Yorkshire Infrastructure Consortium Supporting the Third Sector Rural Action Yorkshire Small rural groups and Community buildings Parish plans Rural proofing Ensuring rural views and interests are well represented York Racial Equality Network Promotes awareness of the needs of black and minority ethnic people, and groups by developing links with appropriate voluntary and statutory agencies and by encouraging a multi-agency approach to race issues.

York and North Yorkshire Infrastructure Consortium Supporting the Third Sector to thrive N1 7 The Environment for a Thriving Third Sector NI 7 is one of 198 National Indicators in the new local government performance framework. It will measure the contribution that local government and its partners make to the environment in which independent third sector organisations can operate successfully. In North Yorkshire the North Yorkshire Strategic Partnership (NYSP) Local Area Agreement 2008 – 2011 as a Local Indicator (L65)

York and North Yorkshire Infrastructure Consortium Supporting the Third Sector to thrive Why is N I7 important? Nationally Office of the Third Sector ‘ A stronger third sector can be an asset to every local authority area and this indicator has been included as a government priority in the National Indicator set in recognition of: The importance of the third sector to strong, active and empowered communities: A vibrant, diverse and independent third sector is a vital part of a fair and enterprising society. It can help communities to be more cohesive and inclusive, and help individuals to have more say over issues that affect them.

York and North Yorkshire Infrastructure Consortium Supporting the Third Sector to thrive The value of the third sector to responsive and effective local government: The third sector can help local statutory agencies to address a wide range of community concerns, from strengthening community cohesion; to increasing environmental sustainability; to tackling many of the causes and consequences of social and economic disadvantage. The value of local government to the third sector: Local statutory agencies can be influential in shaping the environment in which third sector organisations work. NI 7 is designed to capture the overall contribution made by local statutory agencies to the environment in which third sector organisations operate. ‘ Office of the Third Sector; Briefing for local strategic partnerships; NI 7 Environment for a thriving Third Sector April 2008

York and North Yorkshire Infrastructure Consortium Supporting the Third Sector to thrive Why is N I7 important? Locally North Yorkshire The 2008/18 Sustainable Community Strategy for North Yorkshire states that in order to achieve the ten priorities the NYSP must; ‘Recognise the value of the local third sector in the shaping and development of vibrant communities. This includes the recognising their value in the planning and delivery of public services and helping to build more sustainable North Yorkshire communities. We will facilitate its full involvement in Partnerships and activities to ensure a thriving and sustainable Third Sector.’

York and North Yorkshire Infrastructure Consortium Supporting the Third Sector to thrive How will it be measured? Nationally A MORI poll of selected registered third sector organisations (e.g. Charities,Companies, Community Interest Companies and Industrial Provident Societies) will be conducted in two waves Autumn 2008 and Autumn 2010, with headline indicator results published in early 2009 and The survey will include a question that will be used to measure Performance against NI 7. All third sector organisations included in the survey will be asked: “…how do the local statutory bodies in your area influence your organisation’s success?”

York and North Yorkshire Infrastructure Consortium Supporting the Third Sector to thrive How will it be measured? Nationally In addition to assessing performance against NI 7, the survey will also capture third sector organisation’s views on a range of relevant local issues, which together might contribute to a supportive environment. These will include: The strength of local partnership arrangements The availability of local resources – including human resources (volunteers, employees, trustees), and financial, management and other support services Funding opportunities and relationships (grants and contracts) Opportunities to influence local decisions The support available from other (second tier or umbrella) third sector organisations. ‘

York and North Yorkshire Infrastructure Consortium Supporting the Third Sector to thrive Measuring the indicator North Yorkshire Results of the first Autumn 2008 MORI survey National average 15.9% North Yorkshire 15.5% York 17% Awaiting further breakdown of the results A local questionnaire is currently being developed and will be circulated to organisations in North Yorkshire in October 2009 to capture the view of those not selected through the National survey

York and North Yorkshire Infrastructure Consortium Supporting the Third Sector to thrive Thriving Third Sector in North Yorkshire The indicator is the responsibility of the Stronger/Rural Thematic Partnership and has been recognised by the NYSP Executive as a cross cutting theme across the NYSP. The NYSP Executive have established Steering group to oversee progress against the indicate in North Yorkshire

York and North Yorkshire Infrastructure Consortium Supporting the Third Sector to thrive Measuring the indicator – locally in North Yorkshire The Steering group will consider the following 5 principles 1The NYSP Partners support, engage with and promote a thriving Third Sector 2The Third Sector is valued and participates as an equal partner across the NYSP and is represented in those forums for planning, policy development and the delivery of services to achieve the 2008/18 Sustainable Community Strategy for North Yorkshire. 3The contribution and role of the Third Sector in creating and maintaining the health and wellbeing of the North Yorkshire communities is recognised, monitored and evaluated.

York and North Yorkshire Infrastructure Consortium Supporting the Third Sector to thrive Measuring the indicator locally North Yorkshire 4 The Third Sector has the resource base to enable it to play an active part in the development of strategy and policy, deliver high quality services to promote innovation and to develop appropriate sustainability of its services to demonstrate the required standards of governance, quality assurance and sustainability. 5 The principles of the North Yorkshire Compact are reflected in the activities of the signatory partners and realised at all levels of planning, implementation, grant funding and procurement services.

York and North Yorkshire Infrastructure Consortium Supporting the Third Sector to thrive Challenges facing the sector Increase demand for services during the recession Funding uncertainties New commissioning processes Procurement

York and North Yorkshire Infrastructure Consortium Supporting the Third Sector to thrive Any Questions?

York and North Yorkshire Infrastructure Consortium Supporting the Third Sector Contact the Consortium Alex Etchells Consortium Administrator North Yorkshire Forum for Voluntary Organisations Bob Curry Partnership Manager North Yorkshire Forum for Voluntary Organisations