Over recent months, moreof our stalwart supportersin the statutory sector havechosen to move. We aresorry to see the end of whathave been strong andimportant relationships forus as a sector.Sir Merrick Cockell has steppeddown as the leader of the councilafter 13 years in charge. Merricktook on the protective mantel thatJoan Hanham had establishedfor the local sector during hertime as leader. Whilst we aresorry to see him go we lookforward to working alongside hissuccessor Cllr Nick Paget-Brown.We are optimistic that he willmaintain the very special localbonds that have developed overthe years.

Melanie Smith, the boroughDirector of Public Health,stepped down from her post atEaster, although many hadexpected her to head up thetri-borough public health team.Her departure came as a bit of asurprise but her team continuesto support our sector by

SUMMER 2013

engaging in a range of activities.The Social Council is sad to

lose a wonderful advocate of thesector, but wishes Melanie well inthe future.

Derek Myers has alsoannounced that he will bestepping down. He leaves hisrole as Chief Executive of RoyalBorough Kensington and Chelseaand Hammersmith and Fulham atthe end of the year.

He too, has championed ourcauses, attended our debates,and been an important influence,shaping a range of servicesacross the sectors. Derek, whohad been in charge of the RoyalBorough for 11 years, wasnamed as one of the mostinfluential people in localgovernment when he took on therole of helping to shape the tri-borough partnership across twoboroughs. He will leave behind astrong legacy and we haveconfidence that his officers willcontinue his work. We wish himall the best for the future.

Change is now something weexpect and know we can adaptto – even changes as rapid andsurprising as these.

Keeping and developing keyrelationships is vital for the future

of our sector. Come to one of ourforums to meet your sectorcolleagues and statutorypartners. Aim to stay strongduring these turbulent andunpredictable times.

The changing faces ofthe Royal Borough

New council leader Nick Paget-Brown

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KENSINGTON & CHELSEASOCIAL COUNCILLondon Lighthouse111-117 Lancaster RoadLondon W11 1QT

020 7243 9800info@kcsc.org.ukwww.kcsc.org.ukCharity no 1087457Limited company no. 4146375

C O N TA C T U S

Mary Gardiner 020 7243 9803Chief Executivemary@kcsc.org.uk

Harjit Dhaliwal 020 7243 9801Office Managerharjit@kcsc.org.uk

Organisational Development Team

Siobhan Sollis 020 7243 9807Head of Organisational Developmentsiobhan@kcsc.org.uk

Brenda Nambooze 020 7243 9807Development Officerbrenda@kcsc.org.uk

Katie Steingold 020 7243 9800Events & Communications Officerkatie@kcsc.org.uk

Business Development Team

Lev Pedro 020 7243 9809Business Development Managerlev@kcsc.org.uk

Policy Development Team

Angela Spence 020 7243 9802Deputy Chief Executiveangela@kcsc.org.uk

Mohammed Miah 020 7243 9808Development Officer –Partnership and Forumsmohammed@kcsc.org.uk

Ambika Sharma 020 7243 9804Campaigns & Development Officerambika@kcsc.org.uk

Kuldip Bajwa 020 7243 9805Information & Communications Officerkuldip@kcsc.org.uk

The views expressed in Link are notnecessarily those of KCSC.

Kensington & ChelseaSocial Council (KCSC)works to support locally focusedvoluntary and communityorganisations serving local residents.

Dalgarno Trust – Refurbished &RelaunchedThe Dalgarno Trusthas held a doublecelebration afterre-opening it’sdoors to thecommunityfollowing a majorrefurbishment andits unveiling of anew website andlogo.

The launchevent on 14 Marchwas attended bykey partners andstakeholdersincluding theMayor and markedthe end of a fivemonth refurbishment project. During this time regular services neverstopped, operating from other locations, however service users weredelighted to be back in the centre. Responses to the design, layout andquality of the new spaces especially the café and reception area havebeen very positive.

A number of new services are being offered through the centre including:• Community Champions – a project working with Dalgarno residents

to raise awareness and signpost people to health services.• Life-coaching – funded by City Living, Local Life and offering all

St Charles residents both life-coaching and the opportunity to trainto become a life-coach.

• Oasis Garden Café – freshly cooked food at reasonable prices runby Equal People.

• Enterprise Hub – offering a wide range of workshops, training and1-1 support, to people who would like to start theirown enterprise or work with others to developsocial enterprises.

You can pop into the newly refurbished centre at1 Webb Close, Dalgarno Way, W10 5QB or why notcheck out the new website to find out what’s on offer?

Community Centres to receivevolunteering boostGreater support for volunteering will benefit users of three communitycentre’s in North Kensington following the appointment of a new part-timeShared Volunteer Coordinator.

The new post-holder, Michelle Poponne will divide her time equallybetween Meanwhile Gardens Community Association, the VentureCommunity Association and Al-Hasaniya Moroccan Women’s Centre, allbased in Golborne ward.

By helping to recruit and support volunteers Michelle will enable thecommunity centres to offer more regular activities to local residents and willstrengthen the existing links between the centres. You can contact Michelleon 020 8960 4600, or at volunteer4rcommunity@gmail.com.

Ready for action: the refurbished Delgarno Centre

More info: www.dalgarnotrust.org.uk

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S E C T O R N EW S

Community GardeningComes to GolborneA new community food garden on the corner ofSoutham Street and Golborne Road has been built bya group of volunteers. The space has been plantedwith peas, french beans, runner beans, courgettes,okra, aubergine, tomatoes, carrots and kohl rabi.

Project Co-Ordinator Ros Brooks explained "I didn'thave a garden and wanted to try growing my ownvegetables, TMO gave their permission and we appliedfor £500 from the Capital Clean Up fund".

Volunteers are needed each week for weeding,watering, harvesting and odd jobs. Anyone who wouldlike to volunteer can emailfarmthecitylondon@gmail.com. Once the foodgrows, everyone is welcome to pick it.

Ros added, “It's been wonderful meeting so manylocal people interested in joining in and it's a reallysunny spot so we've got high hopes!”

The team behind the new garden are also involvedin organising the Farm the City London festival whichwill take place at Meanwhile Gardens, W10 onSaturday 21 September.

June is Gypsy Roma and Traveller History Month; a series of nationalawareness raising events. There are all sorts of activities including atouring exhibition arranged by the local Stables Way travellercommunity, which brings together miniature caravans and carts,

traditional Roma dress, photographs,portraits and personal verse.

The exhibition is proud to announcethat it will include part of Paul Wenham-Clarke's photographic exhibition,‘The Westway: a portrait of a community.’Currently the exhibition is showing at:

1 June: Victoria & Albert Museum3 - 13 June: Central Library13 - 18 June: Cafe Nova18 - 24 June: North Ken Library24 - 30 June: Oxford Gardens

(viewings by appointmentwith Miss Helena Ventham)

12 July: Funders Fair, KensingtonTown Hall.

Touring Exhibition of Gypsy Roma Culture and Heritage

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Volunteer of the Year 2013Award Winners AnnouncedLocal volunteers had their contribution to thecommunity recognised at an awards ceremonyorganised by the Volunteer Centre Kensington andChelsea in early June.

The awards were spreadover a number of categoriesin recognition of the diversityin volunteering in Kensington and Chelsea.

This year’s winners are:Volunteer of the Year: Amar YermakYoung volunteer of the year: Sophia PomiankowskiVolunteering through adversity: Marissa SmithLong service award: Sonia KentTrustee of the year: Sarah YoungGood neighbour award: Sheila Taylor

The following people were also honouredfor making a difference:Peter HodgesLily WoldesemaitAli Movahdi Saveh MotlaghHelen DobbieTrisha de BorchgraveEvelyn PlemingTrevor ShermanAngela ByakwagaKimlynne OlivierDiana OnyangoSelina MoutiaDaniel ChristianRachel HuangMarta Andrada BarrosoHirunika PereraErica ReadSandra DoyleAnna TaylorRhinaixa Duque-ThuesPragna ChaliseSean HannaSheila Davies-BrookSaeedah RamezaniLarisa MarinovaFrank CouzainAshwini PradhanJanet MezianiDelilah Thompson

Christian ZaireJudith Steuart-CorryRoland SaamAllan EntwistleLisa ClevelandPaola NanniJohn HuyserKen MillwoodJoyce OedialeVincent SeabrookMichael CrawshawPeter WardClaudia De MonteAida MaffeiChristina GarciaMaria NossanAnita MalinovskaiaSam SpencerGraham BirdPhilomena DominiqueAmina CharkaouiNora TouzaniKarima TouzaniMonera TaklaFatima AitlhadjAribah HammoudaCatherine FisonElaine Ruth Reid

More info: www.farmthecitylondon.comwww.facebook.com/farmthecitylondon

More info: yrweere@hotmail.co.uk

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Legal aid cuts – cause for concernLegal aid cuts which came into force in April 2013 are of great concern toagencies providing advice to local residents in the borough.

Housing, employment, debt, welfare benefits and immigration advice have allremoved from the scope of legal aid, affecting around 2,500 people in Kensingtonand Chelsea.

With the combination of welfare benefit changes and other austerity measureshitting some families hard, the need for good quality advice is more urgent thanever. However reduced funding will impact inevitably on how much supportagencies can provide.

A D V I C E S E

TRANSITION FUNDING – A BOOST TO THE ADVICE SECTOR

Organisations that provide advice come in all shapes and sizes and are dealing with the fallout of welfare changes on a daily basis.The news that a partnership of advice agencies in Kensington and Chelsea has been successful in its application to the Big Lottery AdviceServices Transition Fund is a welcome boost.

The Advice Services Transition Fund will help protect some advice services over the next two years but it is not a long term solution. It ishoped that by allowing agencies time to adapt new avenues of support for the local advice sector can be explored.

If you work for an advice giving agency in the borough and want to help shape the future of local support, why not attend the next meetingof the Kensington and Chelsea Advice Forum on 27 June. More info: www.kcsc.org.uk/kcaf

Despite the legal aid cut, good quality housing and welfare advice is still availablein the borough. Here are the details of the main agencies you can contact.

Citizens Advice Bureau KensingtonWestway Information Centre,140 Ladbroke Grove, W10 5ND

Drop in service on Monday, Tuesday,Wednesday and Friday 10am to 12.30pm or byprior appointment weekdays 10am to 4.30 pm.

Initial interview at drop in and thereafter priorappointment. Arabic speaker available.

0844 826 9708 www.adviceguide.org.uk

Citizens Advice Bureau – ChelseaChelsea Old Town Hall, Kings Road, SW3 5EE

Drop in service on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday 10am to 2.30pmor by prior appointment weekdays 10am to 4.30 pm.

Initial interview at drop in and thereafter prior appointment.Arabic speaker available.

0844 826 9708 www.adviceguide.org.uk

North Kensington Law Centre74 Golborne Road, W10 5PS

Open to visitors on Monday, Tuesday, Thursdayand Friday 10am to 1pm and 2pm to 5pm but aprior appointment is necessary.

020 8969 7473 info@nklc.co.uk www.nklc.co.uk

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2Age UK Kensington and Chelsea1 Thorpe Close, W10 5XL

Information and advice drop in, telephone andappointment service at 1 Thorpe Close, Monday to Friday9.30am to 5.30pm (closed 1pm - 2pm).

Sessions are open to all residents of Kensington andChelsea who are aged 55+ and their carers and helpers.

020 8969 9105 information@aukc.org.ukwww.ageuk.org.uk/kensingtonandchelsea

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In need of advice?4

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The legal aid cut in Kensington and Chelsea is the biggest in London and this is one of the reasons the boroughwas chosen as one of five across the UK to be surveyed by the Low Commission. The commission isinvestigating the impact of the loss of legal aid on the local advice sector and is due to consult on emergingfindings in September, before publishing a final report in December 2013.

S E C T O R

Nucleus Advice Centre298 Old Brompton Road, SW5 9JF

Drop in service on Monday 1.30pm to 4pm,Tuesday 3.30pm to 6pm and Thursday 10am to12.30pm to Kensington and Chelsea residents.Initial interview must be at drop in or by priorappointment. Telephone advice is Monday toFriday 9.30am to 5pm.

020 7373 4005 www.nucleus.org.uk

Staying FirstMulliner House, Flanders Road, W4 1NN

Two drop in sessions each week - Tuesdays 5pmto 7pm at the Westway Information Centre, W10and Thursdays 3pm to 5pm at the BromptonLibrary SW5. Telephone advice is available onMonday to Friday 10.30am - 3.30pm

020 8996 8900 www.sbhg.co.uk

World’s End NeighbourhoodAdvice Centre2 World’s End Place, SW10

WENAC offer a general drop in service onMonday and Friday 10.30am to 1pm or by priorappointment weekdays.

Support is available for people who live,work or study in the SW10area. Arabic speakeravailable.

020 7351 5749www.wenac.org.uk

Earlier this year, members of the Kensington and Chelsea Advice Forum issued a paper in which theyhighlighted major concerns about the coming legal aid reform. The report ‘Legal Aid Reform – theimpact of the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Bill’ can be downloaded from theSocial Council website. www.kcsc.org.uk/news/legal-aid-reform-poses-threat-local-advice-services

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S P E C I A L F E

TIMES ARE Cfor our communities, for our vol

Overwhelmingly, people pointed tothe rich mix of communities, thevibrant atmosphere this createdand the neighbourliness that flowsfrom an element of familiarity.

The changes being effected nowin the borough threaten to undosome of these elements. We standto lose the very essence of whatmakes Kensington and Chelseasuch a special place for so manyof us.

Some will think there is little wecan do about this but should westop trying?

borrow to meet these costs.Despite this, as many as 24,500residents are excluded by themainstream lending banks andregularly turn to pay day lenders,loan-sharks or pawn brokers tomake ends meet.

Some, including many third andfourth generation residents, will befeeling that their value is weighedsolely by their household income.

Housing needsRegardless of the great need to findlocal social housing in the boroughnew homes like those in the newWornington Green development arepriced beyond the vast majority oflocal people. Instead they are beingmarketed overseas, in the Far East.

The 2011 Census showed thatthere were already over 9,300second homes in the borough.Many of these will have beenbought as investment opportunitiesto take advantage of propertyprices that keep rising and currentlylie empty. In the 2011 Census,Kensington and Chelsea actuallyrecorded a slight drop in populationover the previous decade. It wasthe only borough in London todo so.

So is any of this fair? Is fairnesseven important anymore?

The things we valueLast year we undertook a listeningexercise on the streets of Golborne,asking people what they liked bestabout their neighbourhood.

The challenge facingour communitiesThe changes to the benefits systemhave been well-documented, andeven though some cuts have yet totake effect they are having a majorimpact.

Whilst the financial safety netprotecting the vulnerable and thosewho may temporarily fall on hardtimes is being tightened, livingcosts continue to rise.

Residents, many of whom are inwork but who’ve had to rely onstate support to meet sky highrents, are facing stark choices.Some will have to leave theborough as a benefit cap isintroduced. Others in socialhousing, whose homes are nowdeemed too large, may have toleave due to the “bedroom tax”.

Little consideration seems tohave been given to the impact onthose affected; the strain of movingand starting afresh, lengthycommutes to hold down jobs or tokeep children in local schools, thelost local connections.

Rising CostsIn recent years and even monthsmany families and individuals haveseen their utility bills soar. This isparticularly tough for those on lowerincomes. In our borough somefamilies have also been asked topay £225 per child for bespokeschool uniforms and have had to

There are many things that the Royal Borough can be proud of. Wand community sector and for a long time w

The great diversity in the make-up of our communities and good comYet, as financial pressures mount on residents, voluntary o

unfavourable change whic h

As Kensington and Chelsea copes with rapid changcommunities are considere

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F E A T U R E

CHANGING...oluntary sector, for our borough

cut. Recent research conducted onbehalf of the Joseph RowntreeFoundation and Locality hasshown that, around the country,smaller grassroots groups areparticularly vulnerable.

In May NCVO updated it’s 2011‘Counting the Cuts’ report in whichit paints a sobering picture of theyears that lie ahead. Assuming thatcuts are distributed proportionally,nationwide charity income isexpected to be £1.7 billion (12%)lower in 2017/18 than it was in2010/11.

The local pictureHere in Kensington and Chelsea,the majority of council fundedgroups have faced reductions infunding in each of the last twoyears. However, the local voluntaryand community sector has notseen the widespread cuts thathave been witnessed in someneighbouring boroughs.

With a newly installed councilleader and a new council chiefexecutive to take over before the endof the year there is a level ofuncertainty that exists across thelocal sector. We have worked hardand well locally to build goodrelations. We remain confident thatour local statutory authorities willcontinue to back the sector andrecognise the valuable work we do insupporting local residents inKensington and Chelsea, particularlywhen so many are struggling.

We must sustain our wonderfulwork and not shy away from thechallenges and difficulties we face.

In 2012 the Royal Borough ofKensington & Chelsea placed884 homeless households intemporary accommodationoutside of the borough.Most were placed in outerLondon boroughs.Some were movedto Manchester,Hertfordshire andthe Kent coast.

The challenge facingthe voluntary sectorAusterity measures are having ahuge impact on communities upand down the country, leavingsome of the most vulnerable moredependent on the services andsupport of their voluntary sectororganisations.

However as financial pressuresmount and funding for charitablework becomes increasing difficultto obtain organisations arestruggling to cope with the strain.The very services that are nowmore vital than ever for hardpressed communities are being

It is in difficult times like thesethat we should remember why ourlocal voluntary and communitysector exists. We should rememberhow we came into existence – tobring together and supportfragmented communities and tostand up for those who needed avoice.

Leaders and decision makerswill be facing pressure from allsides. We have an important role toplay as a sector. We can helpensure that the voice of our existingcommunities is heard in this debate.

f. We have good schools, both state and private, a great voluntarye we have had excellent statutory services.ommunity relations are also things on which we place a great value.y organisations, and also the statutory sector, the result isc h will be difficult to reverse.

change we must ensure the interests of our existingsidered by decision makers

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They are part of the Localism Act which came into effectthrough various stages in 2012.

There are four Community Rights:

• The Right to BidAims to keep valued land and buildings incommunity use by giving local people the chance tobid to buy them, if and when they come onto themarket

• The Right to BuildA new way for communities to choose for themselveswhere and when to build homes, shops, facilities and

The Social Council wants to work with localpeople, local groups and the Council tomake sure this is of real benefit locally.We can give advice and information oncommunity rights and support you with theformal processes.

For example, under Right to Bid, if thereis a building that is very valuable to a localcommunity, the building can be registeredas an asset of community value. We canhelp you understand what buildings areeligible and guide you through this process.

Locality, the national network forcommunity-led organisations have set up adedicated website‘http://mycommunityrights.org.uk. We canhighly recommend this resource which hasa wealth of information on community rights.

What does that mean for us in Kensington and Chelsea?

Community Rights are sets of powers which devolve power from thecentral government to communities, local authorities and individuals.

Know your community rightsI N F LU E N C I N G

businesses – putting power back into the hands oflocal people where it belongs

• The Right to ChallengeEnables communities to challenge to take over localservices that they think they can run differently andmore effectively. This could be used to run a widerange of local services

• Neighbourhood planningThis is intended to give communities more of a sayin the development of their local area.

More info: Lev Pedro lev@kcsc.org.uk www.kcsc.org.uk/communityrights 020 7243 9803

www.theplacestation.org.uk is anotheruseful website to visit. It lists buildings thatlocal communities have registered asassets of value and agencies that cansupport communities to bid to buy them.Anyone can contribute to this.

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Public authorities such as theRoyal Borough of Kensington andChelsea and the NHS are now dutybound to consider social valuewhen awarding contracts.This change in procurement practice became live earlierthis year following the introduction of the 2012 SocialValue Act.

Procurement officers should no longer be looking toaward contracts on cost considerations alone. Theadded social and environmental value that anyprospective provider provides should now be a factor inthe decision making process.

The Government defines social value as, “a conceptwhich seeks to maximise the additional benefit that canbe created by procuring or commissioning goods and

services, above and beyond the benefit of merely thegoods and services themselves”.

In theory, this should place charitable organisationsin a stronger position and help level the playing field alittle against large private sector providers who areprimarily concerned with returning a profit.

The work our sector does to support the vulnerable,strengthen communities and empower citizens is bydefinition work of social value.

At a time when public authorities around the countryare looking to make savings, the Social Value Act is animportant provision that should remind the authoritiesthat their responsibilities lie further than just costcutting.

In Kensington and Chelsea, we must ensure ourcouncil and NHS commissioners implement the Act inthe spirit in which the original Private Members Billwas tabled.

Preventing the“supermarketisation”ofpublic service – the Social Value Act

NG C H A N G E

More info: Ambika@kcsc.org.uk www.kcsc.org.uk/change-for-children 020 7243 9806

The Social Value Act was initiated via a Private Members Bill proposed byConservative backbench MP Chris White.

He coined the phrase ‘supermarketisation’ to refer to the way public serviceoutsourcing seemingly awards contracts to the lowest bidder. In the billssecond reading he said:

“What I believe in, is a future in which our public services are run by communitiesand the organisations close to them that have a sense of responsibility and putpeople before profit.”

More info: www.kcsc.org.uk/news/social-value-and-what-it-means-voluntary-sector

CHANGE FOR CHILDRENSince September 2012, the Change for Children projecthas been working with 35 local children and familiesorganisations across Kensington and Chelsea.

The project aims to combat child poverty by researchingways in which groups can be more responsive to theirusers’ needs during this period of austerity and hardship.

Since its launch the project has carried out over 200surveys with local residents. The questions enquired aboutfamily life and aimed to discover how people were copingwith and adapting to the tough economic climate.Case studies and interviews have also formed part of thedata gathering phase.

The information collected is now being studied to see what patterns and trends are emerging andthe results will be shared in July.

In the follow up to this, Change for Children will look at how organisations can work morecollaboratively with one another in order to provide the most effective services for their users.

If you would like to submit any case studies or get involved in the project, please get in touch.

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H E A LT H

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It is essential to not only provide services to improvehealth and wellbeing in the borough, but to ensurethose services are known and accessible to thosewho might need them.

A number of voluntary and community sectorservices are currently working in Kensington andChelsea to improve access to health and wellbeingsupport. They work to facilitate engagement, providesignposting and in some cases offer hands onsupport to residents who may otherwise struggle tofind the help they need.

Here is a list of some of the community servicesdoing this work.

Health Trainers – Westway Development TrustOne to one support providing motivational sessions,setting health goals and behaviour change throughcoaching.Where is the service delivered?In community settings. Flexible but not in people’shomes.

More info: healthtrainers@westway.org 020 8962 5730www.healthtrainerskandc.co.uk

Dalgarno Community Champions –Dalgarno Neighbourhood TrustSignposting service; for example mental health.Promoting local servicesHealth Works – Dalgarno Neighbourhood TrustPrimarily aimed at group facilitation. DNT leads aconsortium of small BME groups to help them toimprove access to health services.Where is the service delivered?In community settings, mainly Dalgarno CommunityCentre (not in homes).

More info: www.dalgarnotrust.org.uk 020 8969 6300

Primary Care Navigators and Wayfinders –Age UK Kensington & ChelseaAct as a bridge between GPs and community healthand social care services with aim of preventingunplanned care. Engagement ranges fromsignposting to longer case work.Where is the service delivered?In patients’ homes, in community settings orat the surgery.

More info: wayfinder@ackc.org.uk 020 8969 9105www.ageuk.org.uk kensingtonandchelsea

www.wayfinderkc.org.uk

Navigators at Earl’s Court Centre for Healthand Wellbeing – Turning PointHelping patients to navigate the services withinTurning Point.The aim is to become and information hub for localarea.Where is the service delivered?At Earl’s Court Centre for Health and Wellbeing

More info: www.echwc.nhs.uk/Turning_Point 020 7341 0300

Patient Participation Group (PPG) – HealthwatchSupports GP practice managers to set up PatientReference Groups in surgeries.Where is the service delivered?Currently in surgeries; could go to localities to takeinto consideration variety in surgery sizes.Information serviceThis new service will focus on signposting and fillinggaps in information services across the tri-borougharea.Where is the service delivered?By phone and website.

More info: healthwatchkc@hestia.org 020 8968 7049www.healthwatchkc.co.uk

Community services working towardsbetter health and wellbeing

The new independent consumer champion forhealth and social care was officially launched inApril. Taking over from K&C LINk, the neworganisation is part of wider network HealthwatchEngland and will work closely alongside sisterorganisations in Hammersmith and Fulham andWestminster.

Healthwatch will be offering a new informationand advice service to help people access andmake choices about services to support people ifthey need help to complain about NHS services.

Current priorities areas are Young People,Hospital discharge, Personalisation, out ofhospital and Cancer.

More info: healthwatchkc@hestia.orgwww.healthwatchkc.co.uk

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As we enter into the last few months of TLI funding,it has been a busy time in terms of thinking aboutour future and how we strengthen our support toboth the sector and to local communities morebroadly.

We have been exploring two possible mergeroptions – either with the Community and VoluntarySector Association (CaVSA) in Hammersmith andFulham, or with the Volunteer Centre (VCKC) inKensington and Chelsea.

A merge with CaVSA has the advantage ofstrengthening the role of the CVS across twoboroughs, whilst a merge with VCKC bringstogether volunteering with voluntary sector action inKensington and Chelsea.

Perhaps more importantly than a possiblemerge, we also want to change how we work tobring us closer to the community, and the civilsociety and volunteering activity which supports itsdiverse challenges. In reality, this will mean movingfrom being based in one building to being morephysically present within the different localities.

A smaller operational, core team will enable themajority of our staff to be more accessible and ableto work directly with others to both build up an

Building stronger support for the sector andKensington and Chelsea’s communities

Transforming Local Infrastructure is an 18-month project fundedby the Office for Civil Society. It’s core aim is to make the localvoluntary sector more resilient in the current economic climate.

I N F R A S T R U C T U R E

New website coming soon – Local ActionKensington and Chelsea

evidence base of the needs and challenges for thecommunity and the sector, and design servicesand training in partnership with those who aremost likely to benefit from it.

To reach a broader range of beneficiaries withwhat is likely to be less resources and staff, werecognise we will have to prioritise by working incollaboration with others and identifying thegreatest needs and the gaps in provision. Much ofour traditional support can also be offered througha web portal – such as signposting, volunteeringdatabases and e-learning courses.

The outcome of all these explorations will notbe known until the end of June, but whateverdecisions are made, we are certain that we willhave developed a long term strategic plan that willprepare us and the sector in Kensington andChelsea for an uncertain future.

We will also have stronger relationships andpartnership with both CaVSA and VCKC,regardless of whether a merge goes ahead. All ofthis, we believe, can only benefit the communitieswe serve.

More info: www.kcsc.org.uk/tli

As part of the TLI project we will soon be launching a joint websiteportal in July, Local Action Kensington and Chelsea. It will bring

together information and local voluntary sectorsupport services for the first time. It will meanlocal organisations can access a numberof existing resources in one place.

We hope the site willbe a springboard foraction in the communityand you can benefit byusing the site to publiciseyour activities and news

and participate in discussion.Local Action Kensington

and Chelsea will be launchedat our Funding Fair inJuly 2013.

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UPCOMING EVENTSTraining from the Social Council

DAT E S F O R YOUR D I A RY

The Future of Fundraising

Also coming up…Training This summerwe are also planningadditional training inPresentation Skills,How to Run an AGMand Managing Risk.

Tours We will also be offering new sectorstaff and trustees a tour of some ofKensington and Chelsea’s voluntary andcommunity organisations – a chance toglimpse the daily work that goes on tosupport local communities.

Twilight Club If you are interestedin meeting up informally to networkand share information and withyour colleagues from across thesector why not attend our newafter work Twilight Club?

The Future of Fundraising – Is alternativefundraising right for you?Tuesday 25 June, 5.30 – 7.45pmHave you heard of the Big Society Bank orAdventure Capitalist fund? Are you wondering howyou can finance an social a enterprise? Loans andsocial investment are not suitable for everyorganisation. Find out if they’re right for yours.

Book and receive a discount. Free for trustees and small organisations!

The roles and responsibilities of trusteesThursday 20 June, 6.15 – 8.30pmIf you are a voluntary and community sector trusteeor senior worker at an organisation in Kensingtonand Chelsea and are new to the role or just want tobrush up on your knowledge this training is for you.Delivered as part of the Get on Board trusteesupport project.

Voluntary Organisations ForumsThe Voluntary Organisations Forums (VOFs) are your chance to discuss the issues that matter locallywith your colleagues from across the sector. All VOFs are held at Kensington Town Hall.Engaging Communities VOF Wednesday 19 June, 10am – 12.30pmChildren, Young People & Families VOF Tuesday 16 July, 10am – 12.30pmHealth & Wellbeing VOF Tuesday 23 July, 10am – 12.30pmMain VOF Tuesday 10 September, 9.45am – 1pm

The latest details of all Social Council events can be found on our website www.kcsc.org.uk/eventsor give us a call to find out more. 020 7243 9800

FUNDING FAIR 2013Friday 12 July, 10am – 3.30pm, Kensington Town HallThe annual funding and development event for local voluntaryand community organisations. Once again, this year we will behosting a joint day with our colleagues from Hammersmithand Fulham and Westminster.

A chance to meet with funders, pick up tips to improve yourfundraising and learn about new ways to generate income.

• Browse stalls and talk directly to funders and voluntarysupport agencies

• Attend workshops to learn the latest about funding andother ways to build your organisation

• Network with voluntary sector colleagues from acrossthe three boroughs.

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