am3 making ripples: earning from community assets sfp2012

National Council for Voluntary Organisations

Sustainable Funding Project

AM 3

Making Ripples: earning from community assets Chair: Lee Robinson, Sustainable Funding Officer, NCVO

National Council for Voluntary Organisations

Sustainable Funding Project

Graham Collins Community Development Manager, Barking and Dagenham CVS

Making Ripples: earning from community assets

What £3m buys…

…20 months of speed learning

Office space for 10 organisations

Hot desk space for 30 new start-ups

Large hall with professional stage

3 modern, flexible meeting rooms

Bright & airy lounge areas to relax & network

Can assets earn you income?

How we developed the market

Bold with pricing

Sent a clear ‘quality’ message to the market

Consistent and transparent pricing

Market aggressively and unapologetically

Mixed use – community & private

Invest in the spaces on offer

Immediate benefits

New & improved services

Wider geographical reach

Access to new beneficiary groups

New skills and expertise

Stronger, united voice

More integrated or coordinated approach

Hard won benefits

Financial savings and better use of resources

Independence

Competitive advantage

Reduced duplication of service delivery

Greater capacity to replicate success

Mutual support between local organisations

Achievements

Completed fit-out & enhanced space

Established a thriving weekend market

Hosted the London Ambassadors

90% of serviced office rented

All tenants have seen increased footfall

Lessons learnt

Building spec. – never perfect, hindsight…

Facilities management is time-consuming

Maintaining a community spirit is key

Volunteers can be a huge asset

Creating ‘ownership’ by the local community

CVS as landlord – necessity to be firm

The future

Growing current market & creating new ones

Offer diverse packages to suit all occasions

Include & nurture the local community

Keeping the Centre dynamic & relevant

Our new ‘landlord’ role & relationship w. VCS

Thank you

Graham Collins

Community Development Manager

020 8532 7310

graham.collins@bdcvs.org.uk