High Peak CVS is 5

So, our AGM is over for another year. We hope that those that attended found it useful, in learning more about the work that we undertake and the services we provide, and in hearing about the plans of the Lottery. If you couldn’t attend, we hope that this “micro site” enabled you to take part, and get a sense of the event.

 We set up this microsite for a number of reasons - for those that couldn’t attend; to provide a record of the event, to promote the use of technology in voluntary groups…..and as a way to gather your views about the work we do in the High Peak. So, please, leave a comment (using the comment button below). Have we got the balance of the services we provide as a CVS? should we be doing more policy work? should we be providing more funding advice and support for local groups? what type of training should we be providing? Are we too focussed on money? Whatever you think about our work, please tell us - good and bad. It will help us grow and develop over the next 5 years and beyond

Chris Woodcock, Chair of the CVS , brought the presentations to a close and said “money helps - people make it happen”.

The contributions really illustrated that point.He thanked the staff team, board, and especically the CVS member organisations. The AGM closed with more opportunities to network.

The final presentation at the AGM was from Chinley, Buxworth and Brownside Community Association. Hayley and Liz talked about the work that they’d being doing as volunteers in their community, and the help that they’d had from the CVS, in particular Esther and Chris from ProHelp project.

The Community Association has taken over the youth centre building, and is putting on lots of events.  Hayley said that, in the 5 months since taking over, they’ve realised that the building is a side issue, it’s the support from community, taking part in activities, that is the key thing.

The association have received £20k of revenue funding, from Lottery awards for all, Local Network Fund, the Parish council, and High Peak Borough Council.

Their largest grant application is for Community Buildings fund - and they said that the process had been a roller coaster with a quick turnaround and the deadline in April, a week before Hayleys baby was due. Although the application went in before the baby was born, by the time telephone interview came…there was a baby cooing in the background!

Liz and Hayley gave a flavour of the activities taking place in the community by putting on items of clothing  / equipment relevant to the activity - including  netball - running - mountain biking - rock climbing - orienteering etc - during the presentation. It made a really good visual statement.

“Where do we go from here?” said Hayley “Fingers crossed for the lottery bid. The local support is tremendous - our community is where we live and where our children go to school”

View the chinley association presentation slides

The video recorded for, and shown at, the AGM produced by our social enterprise Digital Umbrella, illustrating the work of High Peak Braille Group and the support they’ve had from High Peak CVS.

Kevin started his presentation saying that it was wonderful to see so many - its our largest turnout, proving the relevance of the CVS with people taking time out to be here today.

Last year, Kevin told stories about his 1^st day at CVS. He put on a pair of rubber gloves - symbolising his first job at the  CVS- filling a skip full of rubbish at the office. Given its our 5^th anniversary today, he put them on again to reflect on the past.

Kevin said his proudest moment was sharing a stage with Simon Hebditch (CapacityBuilders CEO) at the regional 3^rd sector conference. Being an opportunist, he used the event to put up umbrella, on stage, with a large audience  to signify the launch of DU. And he did the same this afternoon…….

Kevin reported that he was pleased with the launch and momentum of Digital Umbrella- highlighting the graphics work in the annual review as an example. “The reason why we’re doing this  - the social purpose, is enabling, giving people tools to develop their groups” he said. “The AGM is at forefront of using, and showing people how to use technology, because of the virtual AGM and info uploaded straight away” he added..

He also illustrated another thought about the umbrella - at one of his first board meetings he had asked trustees to draw their thoughts about what the CVS was- and some came up with idea of the umbrella to shelter groups under.

Kevin went on to say that he is keen that the CVS reflects the needs of our member organisations. We’ve moved from 46 to 300+ in 5 years, showing that we are still relevant, but we  need to build on that - and  listen to what you see as issues.

“Reflecting on 5 years, one of major issues has been funding. We have had investment of  £464k from Lottery over the last 5 years - we wouldn’t be the organisation we are today with out that contribution. I also want to thank our other investors” he said.

Chris alluded to the financial situation in the business section of the AGM- this year is far more challenging Kevin explained. One project that has made a significant contribution over the last 3 years is now “on pause” because of a lack of funding - ProHelp, despite working with 146 groups and gaining £268k investment into voluntary groups from professionals. Kevin thanked Chris, the ProHelp co-ordinator, for her contribution.

Kevin also highlighted the arts development as one that is an innovative, partnership project (between us and High Peak Borough Council), and one of few arts posts placed in the voluntary sector.

As well as the gloves and umbrella, Kevin had one more prop - the birthday hat. Kevin explained that CVS staff wear it on their birthday. He said “I’ve talked about money - but the key thing is people. The hat is one thing that helps lighten pressured environment”

Finally, Kevin brought tighter the analogy of birthdays and birthday cake. What are the ingredients that go into the CVS cake? What is in the mix?

• Dedication from board and staff
• Innovation, celebrate
• Visionary
• Persistent
• Don’t take no for an answer

And the bottom line - when things need to be done “staff roll up sleeves and get on with it”

Kevin asked people to think about the ingredients you require from us for “the cake” you get from us as members.

Kelly Hart, East Midlands Regional Policy and Partnerships Officer at the Big Lottery gave the keynote address at the AGM.

Kelly joined the former Community Fund in 2003 and has had many different roles within Community Fund and now Big Lottery Fund including assessing Grants as a Grants Officer, development and communication work as an Enquires Officer and now working in the Policy and Partnerships team. She has worked in all aspects of grant making within BIG and also lived through the merger.

Kelly continues to assess grant applications by working freelance for Children in Need and assessing projects working with and for children. Outside work, she volunteers for two voluntary organisations.

 There were a number of interesting bits in Kelly’s presentation:

• The lottery has raised £20 billion for good causes since 1994-with £977million in the East Midlands, and £6.62 million in High Peak - 265 awards. The local figure doesn’t include regional / county / national grants for work that covers High Peak.
• One thing that came up is that Lottery Grant funding not assessed regionally any more - since BIG was formed, applications are sent to Birmingham / Newcastle, and only the Policy and Partnerships team are left in region.
• 2 lottery funding programmes  - family learning and playful ideas - have had few (none?) proposals from High Peak.
• Top tips - also relevant to other funders. Plea for applicants to read the guidance notes. Ensure you talk about needs in your area - because apps are being assessed in Birmingham / Newcastle, the grant officer won’t know the needs of the local area. Consider sustainability - what happens when money runs out?
• The Lottery Website includes case studies, spreadsheets and tools (Full Cost Recovery etc) to help groups.

View slides:

A pdf file of Kelly’s presentation “Big Lottery in the High Peak” 

And a short video clip of Kelly giving her presentation:

After the presentation, there was opportunity for questions:

Alistair McDonald asked Kelly - “are we getting our share in the High Peak?” Kelly replied that she thought that we were. They do lots of analysis looking and picking out “cold spots” where there are few applications, which might be because of lack of CVS. H Peak is not one of those she said.

Louise from Grapevine Project talked about their project moving, and looking for new premises.  Because the application and scroing process takes so long, the premises could be gone and no longer available. Kelly answered by saying that if you haven’t got building etc, the Lottery will have requirements that can secure the grant while you search.

Nigel, the CVS Development Programme Manager, asked a question raised at another forum he had attended, about getting feedback. Applicants can now get feedback from grants officers. If the applciation is unsuccessful, the group can talk to grant officer about areas of  strengths and weaknesses.

Hayley from Chinley Community Association asked about the Community buildings fund - they have an application in, and have been told they need to wait until Dec. for an answer. Kelly admitted that this programme was 4-6 times over subscribed, despite having £50million to allocate.

Kelly didn’t get the question she expected - about the Olympics  - so asked it (and answered it!) herself. Yes, BIGwill be affected, with some funding diverted to Olympics. All amounts already stated will not be affected (up until 2009). Post 2009 will be more difficult, and the Lottery will need to be smarter about how and where it is allocated. There will be a large consultation next year about this.

Chris Woodcock, chair of the board welcomed everyone to the AGM at 12.45. He said “the interesting bits are coming up - but we need to get through business stuff first”.So, we did - the minutes from the AGM last year were approved quickly. Moving on the accounts, Chris said that last year, we made a surplus of £22k, but during the current year we were likely to generate a deficit of a similar amount - hence the need to make surpluses when we can. With no questions about the accounts, the accounts were accepted after being proposed by Alistair McDonald and seconded by vice chair Pete Spriggs.

Chris moved on to talk about the board. During the year, 2 trustees had stood down, and unfortunately Ken Grieg died. Chris highlighted the contribution that he Ken made to the board.

2 of our board members (Bert Bowles and Mike Crompton) were standing for re-election, and with just one other nomination (Joy Brown, President WI Whaley Bridge) all were elected un-contested. We still have 3 vacancies on the board, and while not essential to fill them, if members are interested they should contact Chris, Kevin or another board member. Glenn, our treasurer, will also be standing down, due to pressure of work etc. As Chris said “Thinking caps on…..if you know somebody…..”

Before the start of the AGM, we provided a great buffet lunch giving people the opportunity to network.

Celebrating our 5th birhday, we also had birthday cake (cut by Kevin, our CEO, and Chris, chair). Music was provided by Roxanne while people were having their lunch.

A short video clip:

The main room that the AGM is taking place in looks fantastic, with helium balloons, banners and displays. It all adds to the party atmosphere:

The AGM is just one day away now. We’ve got upwards of 100 people (including staff and trustees) attending - and possibly more (we suspect there will be lots of acceptances delayed in the post due to the postal strike). panic hasn’t quite descended…yet!

Please come to the
High Peak CVS 5th Birthday party
(and Annual General meeting)

Whaley Bridge Uniting Church,
Thursday 11th October, 12.45pm-2.45pm
(with buffet lunch from 12noon)

This year High Peak CVS is 5 years old, and we’d like you to come and join us to celebrate our achievements.  You’ll hear from the Big Lottery  and from some of the community groups we’ve worked with; there’s light entertainment a tasty buffet lunch….and birthday cake. Oh, and the business section of the AGM.

 Full agenda:

12pm   Arrival and Lunch
12.40  Happy Birthday and Birthday cake
12.45  Welcome and Introduction by Chris Woodcock – Chairperson
12.50  Business Section
13.20  Guest Speaker Kelly Hart, Big Lottery Fund “The Big Lottery in the High Peak” 
14.00  Presentations by  Voluntary & Community Groups 
14.30  Networking
14.45  End 

Download the Birthday invite (pdf file, 349Kb)