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The Role & Impact of VCS Infrastructure. Mal Fitzgerald Chief Executive Redcar & Cleveland Voluntary Development Agency. RCVDA & Redcar & Cleveland. Established in 1983 as Langbaurgh Volunteer Bureaux Smallest VDA in Tees Valley Population of 139’000 Concentrated urban area
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The Role & Impact of VCS Infrastructure Mal Fitzgerald Chief Executive Redcar & Cleveland Voluntary Development Agency
RCVDA & Redcar & Cleveland • Established in 1983 as Langbaurgh Volunteer Bureaux • Smallest VDA in Tees Valley • Population of 139’000 • Concentrated urban area • Large rural area
Tees Valley • Five Unitary Boroughs • Darlington, Stockton, Redcar & Cleveland, Middlesbrough and Hartlepool • 650,000 residents • 4000+ Voluntary & Community groups across Tees Valley
An ‘Honest’ Context • Infrastructure occupies a unique and sometimes contested space • We operate in an increasing complex policy environment • Our existence conflicts with the basic principles of trust • We are either ‘Marmite or Madonna’! Activities
We cover 98% of England We connect with 164’000 VCS groups We are on 92% of Local Strategic Partnerships We employ over 6’000 staff – 4’000 FTE We utilise 7’000 Volunteers & 3’400 Trustees The Reach of Infrastructure
Our Role • We Raise Standards • We Enable Communication and Collaboration • We Provide a Voice • We Promote Strategic Partnership • We Identify & Fill Gaps
Effectiveness Or Impact? • There is no commonly agreed measure of effectiveness or framework for impact assessment • The complex and diverse nature of infrastructure means that any judgement is unlikely to be straightforward • NAVCA Performance Standards • Local User Surveys
NAVCA Five Outcome Dimensions • Identifying needs and facilitating improvement in service provision • Assisting local organisations to function more effectively • Facilitating effective communication, networking and collaboration amongst local groups • Enabling the representation of the diverse views of the local sector to external bodies • Enhancing the sector’s role as an integral part of local planning and policy-making
Local Data & Surveys • Infrastructure is getting better at measuring outcomes & impact • Confidence is a critical measure • % of respondents stating that CVS support has helped them improve the quality of their services • % of respondents reporting that CVS support has contributed to Improved organisational effectiveness • % of respondents felt that their CVS helped them be better informed about important policy and legal issues • % of respondents felt that CVS support has contributed to their sustainability
Supporting the Delivery of Public Sector Priorities • Public Services Reform • Shifting Policy Landscape • Public sector spending reductions
Thriving Third Sector Five Key Action Areas • Strengthening Partnership Working • Improving Communication & Influence • Bringing Hidden Contact Alive • Supporting the whole sector • Improving the funding relationship & economic dimension
Contact details Redcar & Cleveland Voluntary Development Agency Email:mal@rcvda.org.uk Tel: 01642 440571 www.rcvda.org.uk