Futurebuilders’ calls for dialogue with commissioners over voluntary sector service delivery (30/03/2006)
18.04.2006
Futurebuilders England, the government backed investment scheme for the voluntary and community sector, is warning commissioners that they may miss out on excellent public services if they fail to discuss contracts with voluntary and community organisations (VCOs).
A new publication, available on the Futurebuilders website, explains how Futurebuilders helps VCOs play a bigger part in service delivery. It urges the public sector to talk to potential voluntary sector providers so they, and the public, can benefit from the excellent services on offer.
Futurebuilders’ new leaflet calls on commissioners to refer organisations to Futurebuilders so they can be advised on how to build their capacity to deliver public services. Futurebuilders can also work with councils and PCTs to identify groups that may be able to deliver key services. Futurebuilders investment packages can help organisations become more business-like through its unique investment packages that include loans, grants and ongoing support.
Futurebuilders’ Chief Executive Richard Gutch said: “Futurebuilders wants to talk to public sector commissioners about how we can help VCOs deliver the best possible services for the public. With help from us VCOs are getting stronger and will be in a better position to enter into contracts.”
The launch of this Futurebuilders publication is coinciding with the launch of a significant community cohesion initiative – delivered by a voluntary organisation – to local authorities in the north west of England. Peacemaker, an Oldham-based charity that works to reduce racial tension, is launching a new range of services to improve community relations. In 2005 Futurebuilders agreed an investment of nearly £1 million in Peacemaker, enabling it to expand this program of work.
Peacemaker Director Raja Miah MBE, said “We are showing the public sector that when it comes to community cohesion it is voluntary groups like ourselves that are well placed to deliver training in schools and in the community. We are able to reach across ethnic and social boundaries and bring people together because of our commitment and experience gained over ten years of working at grass -roots level. Thanks to Futurebuilders’ finance and support we have developed our capacity so we can offer our services across the North West of England.”
The Peacemaker launch, held on 30 March 2006at Manchester Town Hall will include presentations from Futurebuilders Chief Executive, Richard Gutch and the Lord Mayor of Manchester, Afzal Khan. The Home Office Group (Government Office North West) and the North West Regional Assembly will be represented.
ENDS
For more information please contact:
Harrison Hadaway, New Media Officer, Futurebuilders: 020 7680 7886/07792 00 5072
Siddika Ahmed, Director of Strategic Development, PeaceMaker: 0161 628 8786/07724 45 1583
Notes to Editors:
1.This new information for commissioners will initially be presented in the FBE ‘Stronger organisations deliver better public services’ leaflet, and can be found at http://www.futurebuilders-england.org.uk/.
2. The Futurebuilders web service is currently being updated to offer commissioners information about VCOs with the overall objective of bringing commissioners and VCOs closer together. The website will:
Supply links to resources useful to those who procurer public services from the voluntary and community sector
Provide free access to the leaflet for commissioners and the FBE’s bi-monthly commissioners report
Feature events and contact details of FBE investees who are interested in engaging with potential commissioners.
3. Futurebuilders England’s new publication on procurement calls service commissioners and procurement officers to refer local VCOs that are currently not ‘contract ready’ to Futurebuilders. Futurebuilders can help VCOs through an investment application and if successful, will provide the financial investment and consultant support to help build their capacity to deliver better quality services. There are 3 practical ways commissioners can make this referral.
Add Futurebuilders website and contact details to your Guidance documentation for tenders that VCOs are likely to bid for.
When VCOs have been unsuccessful, refer them to Futurebuilders in your feedback letter.
Talk to us about a more strategic approach to building capacity of local VCOs: we are already working with London NOMS, Wakefield Social Services and Health department and the Learning and Skills Council. We can provide workshops and additional information about applying for a Futurebuilders loan investment.
4. Since launching in 1997, Peacemaker has grown substantially and gained recognition at Government level for being at the forefront of anti-racist and community cohesion work in the UK. Peacemaker currently runs community cohesion projects in schools and communities across Britain, encouraging young people to promote race equality. The charity’s work includes:
Helping new arrivals in the community positively interact with mainstream society
Running citizenship and diversity training in schools for 8 – 11 year olds
Taking teenagers abroad to experience different cultures
Helping the government develop its national community cohesion strategy
Working with the government’s Home Affairs Committee on the impact of terrorism on community relations
5. Futurebuilders England has so far approved investments of £37 million in 115 organisations working in five key policy areas: health and social care, education and learning, support for children and young people, crime prevention and community cohesion. It offers a mixture of grants and loans to voluntary and community organisations that want to expand their public service delivery. Those interested in applying or wanting to find out more can call Futurebuilders’ enquiries line on 0191 261 5200 or email [email protected]