kingston voluntary action newsletter autumn 2012

“Just going through Kingston

there at the end the noise was

amazing and I don’t think my

sporting career will ever top

that” enthused Bradley Wiggins

after winning the 44km men’s

time trial.

KVA would like to thank the

200 volunteers that joined the

Go Kingston Volunteering team

to make the Torch Relay,

Kingston Cultural Programme

and cycle races happen.

Thank you also to all of

Kingston’s Games Makers,

Kingston University, Kingston

First, Rotary, police, council

officers, and community

organisations that contributed

their time, passion and

diligence to making sure

London 2012 will be known in

Games history as one of the

greatest shows of community

spirit.

And finally to Kingston’s

people, who came out on the

streets in their droves to lend

their roars and cheers to an

electric atmosphere that our

sporting heroes will never

forget.

Kingston Voluntary Action, Siddeley House, 50 Canbury Park Road, Kingston KT2 6LX Tel: 020 8255 3335

Fax: 020 8255 8804 Email: [email protected] Website: www.kva.org.uk Registered Charity No. 257551

Newsletter

Olympian volunteering effort in Kingston great for Games

The newsletter for Kingston’s

voluntary & community sector

October 2012

Incorporating the

GO Kingston

Volunteering

Newsletter

Pages 7 — 9

In this edition

News 2-4

Funding 5-6

Go Kingston

Volunteering news

(Olympics special)

7-9

Health & Social

Care news

10

ICT Hub 11-13

KVA contacts 16

twitter.com/KingstonVA

Keep up to date with

KVA online:

A review of Kingston

Council’s Corporate Grants

Programme is currently

being carried out, led by a

Project Team with

representatives from the

Voluntary Sector including

KVA Council service areas

and Kingston Council

Strategic Business.

Initial work implemented on

the review involved revising

the application forms and

guidance for the year

2012/13 to reflect more

closely the vision set out in

the Kingston Plan.

The core team has now

come up with proposals for

a revised framework for the

Corporate Grants

Programme which addresses

the issues and findings from

a range of voluntary sector

workshops and meetings.

RBK are now seeking formal

views and comments on

these proposals through

workshops and consultations

and an online survey.

www.kva.org.uk News

We are proud to announce that from October 2012 you will be able to access a Level/Group 1 Safeguarding course online at www.kva.org.uk

Coming soon - online training Safeguarding Children Level 1

RBK grants review reaches its final stage of consultation

‘Working Together to Safeguard Children (2010)’ Chapter 4 outlines expectations for employers around safeguarding children training.

As an employer and an organisation that engages or is run by volunteers, you should ensure that all those in contact or working with children and young people and/or adults who are parents or carers have mandatory induction in Safeguarding Children.

Level 1 includes

familiarisation with child protection responsibilities and policies and procedures to be followed if they have concerns about a child’s safety or welfare.

Kingston’s Local Safeguarding Children Board (LSCB) expects this requirement to be met for both staff and volunteers.

In order to more accurately understand the safeguarding children training needs, the LSCB and Kingston Voluntary Action need to

capture the training requirements across all the sectors and organisations that work with children, young people and/or adults who are parents or carers.

You can download the

Corporate Grants Review

Proposals and take part in

the survey at:

http://bit.ly/S7jOOy

And the winner is...

Kingston Citizens Advice Bureau, who won a free place on a course of their choice on our Autumn capacity-building programme after completing a Training Needs Analysis survey, and entering our prize draw.

Keeping children safe in your care requires the right training

Take part online today at:

www.surveymonkey.com/s/

2DBN6ZS

Autumn 2012 News

KVA and the London

Community Foundation are

asking local people to take

part in the 2013 Virgin

London Marathon to raise

money for our Love

Kingston campaign.

The money you raise will

support the five projects in

Kingston working on the

theme of ‘Pathways Out of

Poverty’, and help to build

our Legacy Fund for future

funding of the local

voluntary and community

sector (see our article

above).

Funds will be divided

equally between Pathways

Out of Poverty and the

Legacy Fund.

There are five places

available for anyone keen

to put on their running

shoes and help us fight

poverty in Kingston and

save for the future.

For those who choose to

sign up for a place, a full

fundraising pack will be

sent out with more

information and goodies!

A big thanks to the people

that are already taking part!

Could you run the London Marathon for Love Kingston?

Love Kingston, a new

fundraising campaign will

launch on 4 October at John

Lewis.

The campaign is part of

Kingston Voluntary Action’s

Transforming Infrastructure

project. Working in

partnership with London

Community Foundation the

charitable venture will seek

to raise vital new funds for

the local voluntary and

community sector.

Half of donations received

by Love Kingston will

specifically support five local

groups working on a

common theme of Pathways

out of Poverty. We are

delighted to announce that

the five organisations to

receive funding are Hestia,

Kingston Food Bank,

Kingston Churches Action on

Homelessness, Oxygen and

Kingston Savers.

Half of donations secured

will also help to build a

Legacy Fund for Kingston,

supporting local groups long

into the future.

Until March 31st 2015 we

will be able to boost all

donations to this Fund by

50% under the

government’s Community

First programme. A total of

£128,702 is available to

Kingston for match funding.

Donations are invested as

part of an endowed fund

and the annual income will

be used to support

charitable activity year on

year.

Individuals, businesses and

groups are currently being

invited to donate to the

campaign, which is an

opportunity for donors to

maximize the impact of each

donation and invest in a

long term strategy for

change.

Love Kingston is funded by

the Big Fund on behalf of

the Office for Civil Society

(Cabinet Office).

Love Kingston puts fundraising at the heart of the community

For further information or

to book your place please

contact Elaine Miller on

[email protected]

or 0208 255 3335

For more information contact Elaine Miller on

the contact details at the bottom of the page

or visit www.love-kingston.org.uk

www.kva.org.uk News

The Information Commissioner’s Office is offering small and medium-sized organisations a free day advisory visit to improve their data protection practices.

Advisory visits are provided free of charge and give small and medium-sized organisations the opportunity to discuss and receive practical advice from the ICO aimed at improving their data protection practices.

Visit http://bit.ly/R1XyVs to apply for your advisory day.

Kingston Green Pledge supports local organisations in reducing their negative environmental impacts.

Published by Kingston Council with help from Kingston Environment Group (KEG), it provides manageable goals, ideas, support, and recognition for their positive environmental actions, existing and new.

KEG Co-Chairs Hilary Gander or Marilyn Mason can come and talk to your organisation or network about the Kingston Green Pledge. Visit http://bit.ly/QElIU2

New award to celebrate women in Kingston’s community

The local club of an

international women's

organisation are marking

the Jubilee and Olympic

year by launching a Woman

in the Community Award.

It will honour a woman

who has contributed in a

voluntary capacity to the

wellbeing of women and

girls in the Kingston Club

area.

Soroptimist International of

Kingston Upon Thames and

District is part of an

international women’s

service organisation who

for almost one hundred

years have been striving to

improve the status of

women.

This has included raising

awareness of important

issues affecting women,

speaking on behalf of

women who cannot speak

for themselves and acting

to improve the lives of

women and girls

worldwide.

Kingston Club was founded

in 1944, and is looking

forward to celebrating 70

years of supporting

women, girls and the local

community. The Kingston

Club area includes the

Boroughs of Hounslow,

Richmond and Kingston.

Club Joint Presidents

Christine Hay and Lynn

Park are using the

Soroptimist International

key areas of Educating,

Empowering and Enabling

and Enhancing lives as the

criteria for the Award. The

trophy will be presented at

a reception in March 2013

at The House of Commons.

The deadline for awards

submissions is 30

November.

Contact Club Secretary

Pat Harman on

[email protected]

Are you protecting your data?

HRNet is a free scheme offering a unique online resource

developed by the Cranfield Trust. Registered charities can

obtain answers to Human Resources questions from HR

professionals in the commercial and voluntary sector.

Visit

www.cranfieldtrust.org to

sign up for free HR advice

Free online human resources advice from HR professionals

Autumn 2012 Funding

Kingston Voluntary Action has developed a new Investment Fund targeted specifically to build the capacity of organisations in Kingston to become tender ready for commissioning. The Fund has been established using RBK London Councils (Reduced Contribution) funding.

Local voluntary and community organisations and social enterprises are being invited to submit applications for one-off investment of working capital to gear their organisation for public service contract delivery.

Organisations must provide evidence of their engagement with statutory

providers to be eligible to apply.

Applications for funds must not exceed £50,000. Applications must be made in writing, clearly stating an outline of your proposal including the public service contract you would be aiming to deliver, evidence that you can meet the outcomes for the service you will be delivering, and a detailed budget.

For further information contact Hilary Garner on 020 8255 3335. You can submit your application to Hilary Garner at KVA address (see back page). Applications will be considered on a rolling basis.

KVA Investment Fund for one-off working capital available

Localgiving.com has been given £500,000

from the Office for Civil Society to increase

the number of charities receiving regular

donations through the website.

From 10am on 25th September 2012,

Localgiving.com will match up to £10 of

donations made to local groups. Funds will

be matched to both one-off donations and

monthly donations made by direct debit

(for the first three months).

Although supporters can donate any

amount between £5 and £1,000, only a

maximum of £10 will be matched per

donation. For example, if a supporter

makes a one-time donation of £6, then £6

will be matched. If a supporter makes a

one-time donation of £15, then £10 will be

matched.

Or if a supporter signs up to donate £7 per

month, £7 will be matched each month for

the first three months (a total of £21 will

be matched). If a supporter signs up to

donate £15 per month, £10 will be

matched each month for the first three

months (a total of £30 will be matched).

Local organisations such as Learn English at

Home are making the most of Localgiving.com

Localgiving.com will continue to match

donations until the full £500,000 has been

allocated to charities across England.

KVA can fund your first year's subscription,

usually costing £72, so you can try out this

fundraising website for yourself. KVA also

runs regular two hour workshops to get

your webpage started. You do not need

any technical or web experience.

Grow your income with the Grow your Tenner campaign

Contact Sanja Kane at KVA on

[email protected] or 020 8255 3335

www.kva.org.uk Funding

Commissioning by public bodies such as the NHS and local authorities is becoming increasingly significant as more public services are delivered by private and voluntary sector organisations. The Health and Social Act is now enshrined in law and the Kingston Clinical Commissioning Group will launch as an independent statutory organisation in April 2013.

For many voluntary sector managers these developments provide new challenges at their organisations.

The Cranfield Trust, in partnership with KVA, can offer free management support to 6 local organisations who would like to raise their knowledge and capability in commissioning. More information on The Cranfield Trust can be found at their website www.cranfield trust.org

Many of The Cranfield Trust projects focus on helping organisations prepare for tendering and commissioning.

Cranfield Trust volunteers recently worked with Carers in Bedfordshire to help the organisation successfully tender for a new contract., increasing their client numbers from 70-80 per month to 180 per month. “Winning the new contract has enabled us to offer a complete family support service” said Yvonne Clark, Chief Executive of Carers in Bedfordshire.

“The whole tendering process was a foreign concept to us and we will always be indebted to The Cranfield Trust and their volunteers who guided us through the process with unending patience and first hand knowledge of what was required.”

Kingston Bereavement Service (KBS) is the first Kingston-based voluntary organisation to take up Cranfield Trust's offer of help on commissioning.

“The benefits of this will be to have someone highly experienced in commercial commissioning looking at where KBS is at present to see where our organisation falls short of the evidence/documentation that would normally be required for tendering, said Linda Soutter “so that we can be prepared no matter what the eventual process turns out to be.''

The Cranfield Trust has a dedicated Project Manager working to support organisations in Kingston by matching them with skilled volunteers from the commercial sector.

How to win contracts and influence commissioners

Contact Sanja Kane on

[email protected] or

0208 255 3335

You can get business help with:

Understanding unit costs, challenging costings and ensuring budgets are robust

Project management for the tender process, and future planning for change under new contract conditions

Financial and performance management to support effective contract management and reporting

Communications support to prepare for communication with new service users, or new services for existing contacts

Presentation and negotiation skills for meetings and pitches

Celebrating 40 years of volunteering in the Royal

Borough of Kingston upon Thames

GO KINGSTON VOLUNTEERING

Kingston was lucky enough to have 6 Olympic events in the Borough and over 200 Kingston volunteers helped them happen.

On Tuesday 24th July the torch passed through the Borough and our volunteers helped manage the crowds at the start at Chessington and in the centre of the town.

On Friday 27th the Torch made its final journey down the Thames from Hampton Court to the stadiums passing under Kingston Bridge.

The first events of the 2012 Olympics included the Men’s cycle race on Saturday 28th and Women’s cycle race on Sunday 29th.

Our volunteers were there in strength to help the crowds of supporters and shoppers cope with the considerable impact of the roads through the town centre and Kingston Bridge being closed.

Their dedication received many words of thanks from passers-by. The “predictable” British weather struck with high heat on Saturday, requiring urgent supplies of water to sweltering volunteers.

Go Kingston Volunteering Olympics special: the legacy

GoKingstonVolunteering @GKVolunteers

Followed by torrential rain, thunder and

lightning on Sunday, just as the women

racers entered the Borough over the

Bridge, an emergency purchase and

distribution of ponchos was made to most

of our volunteers, keeping them drier than

the police, spectators and riders.

Finally on the Wednesday 1st August the

cycle time trials shot through Kingston

with the women at midday and the men

dominated by Bradley Wiggins in the

afternoon. Our volunteers again smoothed

the passage through the crowds.

At the finale to the Olympics and

Paralympics there was a parade of

athletes including the irrepressible Mo

Farah through London city centre, with

volunteers forming the final crowd on the

Mall. Go Kingston Volunteering was

represented by 6 members of the

volunteer team.

Continued on page 8...

GKV Newsletter www.gokingstonvolunteering.org.uk

Hey! My name is Karen, I am 25 years old

and. I am a volunteer for the awesome Go

Kingston Volunteering.

Three years ago, I had a fall resulting in

severe mobility problems, meaning I rely on

a wheelchair. Through intense rehabilitation,

I was released back into the world less than

a year ago and I now live in a cosy

bungalow with a little kitten for company.

From my determination to increase my

independence, I wanted to volunteer and I

decided to meet with the manager of my

local volunteer centre. After a brief meeting,

I was given a role at the centre almost

immediately. I felt so happy that I was given

this opportunity regardless of my disability.

Every Friday, I assist a GVK project worker,

Hedley Featherstone, with the Olympic

events this summer, specifically the Torch

Relay. An Olympics event is great to get

involved in when you didn’t get a ticket

(grrrr) so this opportunity cannot be missed!

GKV has really empowered me. I have been

on courses, attended volunteering events

and I enjoy the fun atmosphere. I do not

see this role as ‘just volunteering work’,

because it has done so much for me in a

few short months. I recommend GKV for

people who want to volunteer.

Need event volunteers?

If you would like a team of volunteers to help you with your event then please get in

contact with our team on: [email protected] or 020 8255 8685

Our team after a

momentous morning

as marshals for

the Torch Relay

My View - Karen

Continued from page 7

The Red Arrows roared over

the athletes marking the

tremendous support of the

military, which together with

more than 70,000 volunteers

helped make these games

such a success.

It is hoped that the 200 plus volunteers recruited

for the torch Relay and the cycle events will

remain with the Go Kingston Volunteering team

and form the legacy of the Olympic and

Paralympic games.

These volunteers are trained in event

management and customer service and are real

assets to any organisation planning an event.

Try out our new online training taster!

As part of the KVA supporting change and impact project we have developed a short video and taster training session for you to try out our forthcoming Volunteers and the Law workshop. Take part and watch our video at:

http://tinyurl.com/cozolsa

Autumn 2012 GKV Newsletter

Volunteers and the Law - Staying Legal 25 October 2012

It is always advisable to stay the right side of the law and it

is important to think through carefully what the legal position

is on much of what you do as a volunteer manager.

This workshop will look at how your organisation can keep its

relationship with its volunteers legal.

Volunteer involving organisations and volunteers are natural risk takers and effective

volunteer programmes cannot operate without taking risks. It is essential that

organisations control and minimise risk both to volunteers and the organisation itself.

What risk will look like will be different in each volunteer programme depending on how

you involve volunteers. The workshop will cover it from both organisation and volunteer

perspectives.

Good Practice Project - Next Volunteer Management Training

The good practice project

runs regular volunteer

management training

sessions as part of the KVA

training programme. We

have 2 workshops coming

up this Autumn.

Managing volunteers can

often be challenging. A well

managed team of

volunteers is beneficial to

both the individual and the

organisation.

It is vital that staff who

have this responsibility

receive the appropriate

training and are also up to

date with legal issues and

their duty of care towards

volunteers.

In response to the recent

KVA training needs analysis

we are re-running the

“Volunteers and the law”

workshop and a new

workshop “Managing risk in

your volunteer programme”.

Find out more below.

very useful overview, good

participation from trainees

very interesting/informative – blew away

some myths. Plenty of questions

allowed to be asked

If this has inspired you then you can book onto to either course via

http://www.kva.org.uk/events-and-training/training/ or for any help with best

practice in volunteer management contact Pat Stanley, Good Practice Adviser on

[email protected] or 020 8255 8685

Managing risk in your volunteer programme - New workshop! 6 Dec 2012

www.kva.org.uk

Local doctors, nurses, midwives and other healthcare professionals leading the Better Services Better Value review want to hear local residents’ views on proposals to reorganise health services to improve the quality of care for their patients.

Kingston residents can have their say about recommendations to reshape health services across south west London during the public consultation being held throughout the winter.

Local doctors and patients leading the review developed proposals for improving the following services; planned care, urgent and emergency services, maternity care, children’s services, long term conditions, community and end of life care.

Clinicians are saying their patients are not currently getting the high level of care that they deserve and

changes need to be made in order to meet the growing challenges for NHS services, such as an ageing population.

They would like to hear what local people think of their ideas to reorganise health services. All residents are invited to take part in the public consultation.

Have your say on proposed changes to local health services

Hi, I’m Patricia Turner and I am currently covering for Maria Tunmer, KVA’s Health and Social Care Manager.

I previously worked for RBK, in its Voluntary Sector Unit. I was the Children’s Voluntary Sector Worker and established Kingston’s Children’s Network, working closely with KVA.

I have worked with many voluntary and community groups in Kingston, particularly in the areas of representation and child

protection. For a time I also chaired the Monitoring and Evaluation sub group of the London Safeguarding Children Board, of which I was a member.

After leaving RBK I undertook freelance work and research for Children England and the Safe Network around safeguarding standards and faith organisations. I have been involved with children’s social care voluntary organisation since the late 90’s and was the Chair of Home-Start Merton for three years between 2000 and 2003.

I live in Raynes Park with my husband and two sons. I am an active member of my local church and manage the parish flower group of 20 plus volunteers. In my spare time I love to garden and I belong to a local community choir. You can contact me on [email protected]

Who’s new in Health & Social Care at KVA?

Download the consultation document at

www.bsbv.swlondon.nhs.uk or phone 020 8251 1512 for

a copy. Comment on Twitter @NHSSWLondon #BSBV

Get well soon Maria We wish Maria Tunmer a speedy recovery following surgery, and

will look forward to seeing her very soon. With love from KVA.

Health & Social Care

Autumn 2012

Congratulations to Colin Cregan at Superhighways on the birth of his baby girl twins. Born in April, with weights 6lb 8oz and 5lb 15oz, it may be some time before Niamh and Cerys join us on the IT helpdesk with their dad!

ICT Hub

Superhighways is delighted to be working in

partnership with Kingston Carers Network

to get local carers online and using email.

“Carers have busy enough lives and we

want to help them to save time” says Kate

White, Project Manager. “If we give

someone the skills to search the internet

and access essential services from home,

they can choose how they spend their extra

time. Keeping in touch with friends online?

Developing new hobbies and interests?

There is no limit!”

“We have a flexible training model that

tailors the learning to individuals. For some

it’s starting with the basics like handling a

mouse and finding their way around the

keyboard. For others it’s about building

confidence to explore and develop what

they already know”.

The training is free and delivered locally by

an experienced trainer. Superhighways are

busy recruiting a team of IT volunteers to

assist.

Learners can also choose to log in from

home, because if they get stuck they can

phone for one-to-one support from the IT

Help Desk. And since a computer is

essential to learning at home, any learners

who don’t have one can apply for a

Community Connected refurbished PC, with

support to set up broadband.

If you know someone who is in a caring

role, or you’d like to volunteer to help out,

contact Superhighways on 020 8255 8040.

Helping Kingston’s carers get online and using email

Superhighways joined Cambridge Road Estate

Community Group (CREst) for their annual fun day in

September to re-launch our Community Connected

project. Community Connected works with Kingston

Community Furniture to provide refurbished computers

at a very reasonable price to the public.

The PC Plus programme provides refurbished

computers free of charge to residents of the Cambridge

Road Estate, Cambridge Gardens and Kingsnypton Park

Estate. Lots of people signed up for a new computer at

the fun day.

Free computers are distributed on a "first come, first

served" basis, although priority can be given to those

currently without any PC at home, or people who can

demonstrate a particular need (e.g. limited mobility,

school-aged children, etc.).

Visit www.communityconnected.org.uk for more information. If you'd like to apply for a

FREE refurbished computer, please download a PC Plus Application Form (from the Our

Files section). You can also contact Superhighways on 020 8255 8040.

Community Connected re-launches

www.kva.org.uk ICT Hub

Superhighways is currently testing Office 365

in conjunction with the South London CVS

Partnership’s BESPOKE and KVA's

Transforming Local Infrastructure projects.

This is the Microsoft Cloud offering which

comes in a range of pricing plans (it’s quite

important to opt for the right one for you).

We are trialling the E3 package which

includes Outlook, SharePoint intranet (we

are testing collaborative working using this

including sharing documents with external

partners), the ability to both view and edit

Word, Excel and PowerPoint files online,

as well as Lync - the Office 365

communication tool (similar to Skype) -

which includes messaging, audio & video

calls and sharing desktop & application

features.

We have quickly realised that it isn't quite as

straightforward to set up as we had

expected and there are lots of things groups

will need to consider before making the

switch.

The pricing, like with most other cloud

products, is subscription based with a

monthly fee - and whilst there is no current

listing of the charity pricing to signpost you

to, we are likely to pay £6 per month per

user / mailbox, which is under 50% of the

usual cost.

However, the enhanced flexibility of working

from anywhere along with the

communication and collaboration options are

proving really beneficial and we plan to

arrange a demo session for groups in

Kingston later in October as our trial comes

to an end.

If you are interested in Office 365 as a

future option for your organisation contact

[email protected] as there is

the potential for us to support a number of

groups to move to this option as part of

KVA’s TKI project next year.

Kingston Centre for Independent Living and

Kingston Community Furniture have already

registered interest and it makes sense to

share our experiences and knowledge from

this testing phase with other groups

exploring a move to the cloud.

For further information see

www.microsoft.com/office365

In our regular column we are looking at transforming

how you work using ICT - we are focussing this time

on Cloud computing and some options for you to

consider trying yourselves.

There are a range of definitions and models for

Cloud computing but the central concept is

that you are accessing and using applications and / or data over the Internet.

So, for example, instead of locally installing a program or saving files on your computer or

server – you would now be accessing them online and so a good Internet connection is a

must.

One example featured in the newsletter last time was Dropbox. Here you upload files to a

shared stored space on a remote server accessed via the web. The obvious benefits include

accessing it from anywhere (not a specified PC in the office) + time saved not having to

install updates locally.

Cloud computing

What is it?!

Anyone for Huddling! Huddle provides more of a structured work space than Dropbox, our featured tool in the last KVA newsletter.

You can use it simply to share and collaborate on documents by uploading them and then inviting people to view, edit or comment on them or use the whiteboard space, or alternatively use it as a full project management tool - delegating tasks, setting up discussions, posting deadlines and milestones in the calendar, and having online meetings.

Huddle is a discounted product through the CTXchange programme and currently costs £64 ex VAT admin fee with unlimited workspaces and up to 25 users. See http://www.ctxchange.org/node/5492 for further details.

We have been using Huddle to collaborate with colleagues across the South London CVS

Partnership, with local groups project managing systems tenders for Refugee Action Kingston and Age Concern Kingston as well as for a number of internal KVA projects.

It does a great job cutting down on emails and attachments back and forwards but you do need to switch to a new way of working - with all communication occurring via Huddle for it to be successful. It works particularly well for people working disparately - so why not try it for your Trustee board or partnership projects?

Transforming your ICT using

Further information can be found at

www.huddle.net and there are extensive

support / training materials at

https://huddle.zendesk.com/home

and there is a free version that you can

try before buying.

Autumn 2012 ICT Hub

Jenny Pitt from Kingston Mencap on why a

free Voice website with support and training

from KVA works for their group...

After several attempts to get a website up and running, we decided to choose Voice because it is a local authority funded project (essential for a charity like us) and offered a high level of local technical support. We wanted our website to be informative, extremely easy to navigate (as our members have learning difficulties) and quick and easy to update. There are many useful applications that we intend to use regularly on the website, like

the customised includelets (to display content from other websites), the translation option and the private members’ area for our trustees who need to share documents, like minutes and policy papers.

We already own a domain name and the fact that KVA is happy to arrange for us to carry this name over to our new website is an extra bonus. The training has been especially helpful to understand just how much our new website can offer.

Why Voice works for us...

To get a website or join us for Voice for

Beginners training in November contact

Sorrel Parsons on 020 8255 3335 or

[email protected]

Online tools for Collaboration Come along to this session on Monday 8th October to learn about and see in action a range of

online tools (mostly free) that you could set up to improve collaboration both internally within your

organisation (think volunteers and trustees too) as well as with external partners / agencies you

work with. For booking information see www.kva.org.uk

www.kva.org.uk Meet a Group

Sunray and Egmont Residents’ Association

(SERA) launched in July 2011 to raise the

community spirit and improve the local

environment for the community.

It has a growing membership of 200

households, with 50 residents working

hard over the last year to make the estate a

cleaner and safer place to live, clearing fly-

tipping, undergrowth and litter from its

service roads and grounds.

Working closely with Kingston Council,

SERA now has an action plan for the estate

established at Director level. “Looking at

the list of achievements, including 4

significant clearances, and 5 social events

and much more, I am very pleased with the

overall progress made this year” says

SERA’s Stuart Wears.

“Although not readily visible what I believe

is significant progress is the contacts we

have made with over 50 people from

various authorities and agencies, all of

whom have made a contribution to our

present position. Some fleetingly, but

others a substantial contribution”.

Social events held at Sunray Community

Centre have brought residents together,

with the Diamond Jubilee street party

attended by 200 visitors.

“I have found the last year very rewarding,

particularly meeting many neighbours and

engaging with the various authorities and

encouraging them to support our efforts”

says Stuart.

“I wish to give Peter Day, his wife Linda,

and supporters credit for running the

Sunray community Centre so well for over

67 children came to SERA’s Diamond Jubilee

event, also attended by the Mayor

10 years. It’s achieved on an entirely

voluntary basis, providing a community hub

for hundreds of people throughout the year

with social events, a weekly ladies club and

various classes”.

Zahida Saddiq, Capacity Building Manager

at KVA met Stuart last year when he was

seeking advice for SERA. “I was

encouraged by his enthusiasm and helped

him with the governance of SERA, namely

the constitution and membership. Recently,

I helped them with a funding application,

which was successful. I’m really pleased for

them. SERA have come a long way since

and have achieved so much”.

Approval of a Neighbourhood Grant in

September 2012 will enable SERA to meet

future challenges including continuing to

raise the community spirit, clear more

service roads and encouraging younger

membership.

Meet a group: Sunray and Egmont Residents’ Association

If you are interested in starting a new

project or developing your existing

organisation /project contact Zahida

Saddiq on 020 8255 3335 or

[email protected]

Autumn 2012 Training

ICT tools for collaboration

Monday 8 October, 10am to 12pm

Fundamentals of health & safety in the

workplace

Tuesday 16 October, 10am to 4.30pm

Excel intermediate

Wednesday 17 October, 10am to 12.30pm

Outcomes focus including ICT: day 1

Tuesday 23 October, 10am to 5pm

Volunteers and the law: staying legal

Thursday 25 October, 10am to 1pm

Getting started with social media

Tuesday 6 November, 10am to 4.30pm

How to prepare robust funding applications

Wednesday 7 November, 10am to 2pm

Safeguarding Children - Child Protection

Awareness, Group/Level 1&2

Saturday 10 November, 10am to 1pm

Creating a website using Voice: Beginners

Wednesday 14 November, 10am to 1pm

Developing a website using Voice: Advanced

Wednesday 14 November, 2pm to 4.30pm

Commissioning in Kingston

Thursday 22 November, 10am to 5pm

Outcomes focus including ICT: day 2

Tuesday 27 November, 10am to 5pm

Setting up an online survey

Thursday 29 November, 10am to 12pm

Organisational risk management

Tuesday 4 December, 10am to 4.30pm

Managing risk in volunteering

Thursday 6 December, 10am to 1pm

KVA Autumn training at a glance

Our training brochure is now out! If

you would like a hard copy of the

brochure sent to you please call us on

020 8255 3335.

To book on any of the courses above contact Sanja Kane on [email protected] or 0208

255 3335. You can also find full details of courses and a booking form on our website at

www.kva.org.uk/events-and-training

Newsletter Information

The Newsletter is distributed free of charge four times a year, to

all known voluntary organisations in the Borough, key personnel

in the statutory sector as well as to local councillors, libraries,

doctors’ surgeries and schools. The Newsletter, along with the KVA website, provides

opportunities to promote voluntary and community

organisations and events.

To advertise in the newsletter or include an insert contact Sorrel

Parsons for costs and deadlines.

If you would like to amend your contact details or prefer to

receive the newsletter by email, please also contact Sorrel.

The current and back issues of the Newsletter are available in

PDF format on the KVA website. The newsletter can be put on

tape if required.

Next Edition: January 2013

Deadline for Copy: 10 December 2012

Mission Statement

KVA leads community engagement, creating

opportunities for organisations and

individuals to become empowered to reach

their full potential so that they may make a

difference in their communities.

Kingston Community Furniture

020 8942 5500

Adrian Collins Project Manager

James Deane Operations Manager

Selo Turanli Driver / Warehouseman

Kingston Eco-Op

020 8942 5503 Bart Ricketts Eco-Op Project Co-ordinator

Chris Williamson Workshop Supervisor

Sue Illsley Support Worker

John Legate Bike Mechanic

Sam Carey Support Worker

Superhighways

020 8255 8040 Kate White Manager

Colin Cregan ICT Support Worker

Nine Htet ICT Support Worker

Sue Quilter Admin Worker

GO Kingston Volunteering

020 8255 8685 Maria Jarvis Manager

Richard Craig Buddy Scheme Co-ordinator

Pat Stanley Volunteer Good Practice

Advisor

Hedley Featherstone GO Kingston Volunteering

Project Worker

Kingston Voluntary Action

020 8255 3335

Hilary Garner Chief Executive

Lynda Evans Deputy Chief Executive

Keith Morton Business Manager

Maria Tunmer Health & Social Care Manager

Patricia Turner Interim Health & Social Care Manager

Zahida Saddiq Capacity Building Manager

Sanja Kane Transforming Kingston’s Infra-structure

Project Co-ordinator

Sorrel Parsons Information & Communications

Co-ordinator

Judith Naylor Children & Young People First

Project Worker

Julie Woodhouse Community Accountant

Polly Healy Administrator

Sue Lawrence Finance Administrator

Rianne Eimers HealthWatch Kingston Pathfinder

Manager

Debra McCarthy HealthWatch Kingston Pathfinder

Support Co-ordinator

www.kva.org.uk About Kingston Voluntary Action

Disclaimer: information contained in the Newsletter and inserts come from a wide range of sources. Opinions or statements expressed

may not necessarily reflect those of KVA. KVA aims to ensure all information is correct and up to date.

Membership of KVA

Membership is open to all voluntary and

community groups who are based or

work in Kingston. For details of how to

become a member contact Polly Healy,

[email protected]

Share your stories If you have some great news or

know of a resource that’s useful

for the voluntary and community

sector please get in touch with

me, Sorrel Parsons, (left) on 020

8255 3335 or

[email protected]

Photographs: Many thanks to Dave Hand from Superhighways for our front page Bradley Wiggins photo, and

to www.freedigitalphotos.net for photos on pages 2, 3 and 9.

kingston voluntary action newsletter autumn 2012

Documents