Managing Change Mr. Ian Willetts Chief Executive Walsall Voluntary Action

What we do: Represent community groups and charities Help setup new organisations and enterprises Raise funds for charities Provide a wide range of services to community groups and charities Develop volunteering in Walsall Help create stronger communities that are better able to support themselves Build social capital

Some Headlines for 2010 WVA Provided support, advice, information & funding sessions for 290 voluntary & community groups. Managed 1309 volunteer enquirys. Sent 50 specialist mailings to over 800 voluntary & community groups. Issued 8 editions of our newsletter, Newsline. Held training seminars and events attended by 290 groups. Provided financial services to 19 voluntary and community organisations. Increased our customer satisfaction.

So what does this mean Local organisations have become more sustainable. Local people have increased their employability, experience and therefore life choices. Important services are in place to meet the needs of some of the most disadvantaged. Local jobs in our sector have been filled by local people. Our workforce has increased its skills and competencies. Our sector is stronger even at a time of high risk to its future role.

Walsall Voluntary Action Online Services

Website Addresses WVA Main Site WVA Funding Portal Walsall VCS Information Funding and support for learning that individuals can access available to people in Walsall. (New May 09)

Enterprise; "A social enterprise is a business with primarily social objectives whose surpluses are principally reinvested for that purpose in the business or in the community, rather than being driven by the need to maximise profit for shareholders and owners. Social enterprises tackle a wide range of social and environmental issues and operate in all parts of the economy. By using business solutions to achieve public good, the Government believes that social enterprises have a distinct and valuable role to play in helping create a strong, sustainable and socially inclusive economy.

Key Considerations Who are your customers? What does a sustainable business model look like in the marketplace you are operating within? Does your organisation match up to that? How do you know? Market Research Know what your “customers want and need” How will you manage change?

The Sectors Key Advantages It utilises local skills and life experience It knows its customers and benefits from local trust It can provide tangible benefits to specific sectors of the community eg the young, the elderly, etc It uses business principles so that it is run in a professional way. It can help replace services withdrawn by central and local government. Its not for profit! But can maximise income and therefore beneift – Resources are spent on delivering the organisations objectives. It offers the best opportunity cost in 1-3 years compared to all other alternatives in a time of public sector cuts.

Consider the potential benefits… Communities helping themselves Happier communities Productive, positive activity Social & Environmental benefits Cost less to the local government administration Develops peoples skills Innovation – Develop new approaches

Future developments Better model of representation for the sector Upgraded membership services that will support the sectors needs eg: finance, utilities, telecoms and ICT, training etc. Greater independance

We help Walsall Voluntary Action Develops new innovative services Are experts in helping develop the sector with a network of local partners that we work with. Our purpose is to benefit communities We support 100’s of individuals and organisations to setup new enterprises and charities for the benefit of their community. This sector is a serious player with UK wide turning over hundreds of millions £. Filling the gaps other services do not cover.

What we need to know What will you commission? What is the public sectors plan for delivery & what is it planning on delivering? Is there a level playing field? Will you support market development as organisations make any transitions? What standards do commissioners want organisations to meet to be in the mix? All of the above will be vital to the sectors business planning & sustainability.

The future We will support the sector to be proactive in making proposals to Walsall Council and others on how the sector can best respond to the challenges Walsall Faces. We will play an active role in the delivery or Area Partnerships by supporting local organisations to deliver local solutions and exploring where volunteering opportunities can be created locally. We are here to support the local voluntary and community sector

Contact Us Ian Willetts Chief Executive Walsall Voluntary Action Tel: +44(0)