1. It all started with the luncheon clubs…
A story of partnership in the
London borough of Hackney
A presentation by
Rebecca Clarkson
Director of City and Hackney Together
Hackney CVS

2. About Hackney
2000+ plus VCS groups representing huge diversity across all the equalities areas
80% have turnover under £50k
A culture of respect and productive relationships has been fostered between VCS and public sector
Rich in networks which function well and have a voice
Formal mechanisms for VCS to participate in strategic decision making structures [e.g. grant panels, local health partnerships]
Co-production is increasing [e.g. Participatory Budgeting]

3. About Hackney CVS
£3.1 m turnover, with a mix of income from public sector (local authority, Clinical Commissioning Group) Mayor’s Office for Policing And Crime, the Big Lottery Fund
19 staff with 24 young people employed on a sessional basis as part of our ‘Talentmatch’ programme
Juggling projects at any one time
Provide a hub in Hackney – income from hot desks and conference room = c. £35 k p.a.
We lead on consortia and partnerships, which are our main sources of income now

4. Our partnership programmes
Stop and Search work – MOPAC (£164 K, 4 years)
Talentmatch – Big Lottery Fund (£1.4 m, 5 years)
Moving On Up – Trust for London (£120K, 2 years)
One Hackney – CCG (£500 k, 1 year+)
Connect Hackney – Big Lottery Fund: Ageing Better (£5.8 m, 6 years)
Take Care of the Pennies – Lloyds Bank Foundation (£245 K, 3 years)
Luncheon Club contracts – LB Hackney (£240 K, ongoing)

5. So what’s this about luncheon clubs?
We heard in 2011 that the London borough of Hackney was considering cutting the luncheon clubs funding
We worked with the council to look at alternatives
Based our approach on the GMCVO model [SPV in the North West]
Secured £50 k development money from Council to develop SPV
Then used ‘Transforming Local Infrastructure’ fund to continue its development [over about 2 years]

6. What is City and Hackney Together?
A trading subsidiary of Hackney CVS
Open to voluntary and community organisations which meet its quality standards
Enables the deliverers to deliver
A means of working in partnership as a sector

7. Why a Special Purpose Vehicle [SPV]?
It gives us a consortium of groups primed and ‘good to go’
We recognised the importance of being able to serve Hackney’s diverse communities
We wanted to give smaller groups ‘a bite of the cherry’
Our specialism is in contract management – we are not competing for delivery funding
It builds capacity through an active process which offers feedback and attainable performance standards

8. So what are the key lessons?
Get local knowledge – what’s the perception on the ground?
What’s the funding environment like for key groups?
Work on the problem with the commissioners
Then offer solutions!
Ensure you have sector buy in: an SPV needs members, and you need to have your partners on board
Mirror best practice and be confident about your approach

9. Where are we now?
Through managing the luncheon club contract and supporting the groups to develop and work in partnership, Connect Hackney funding has been secured
Hackney CVS has secured £5.86 m from Big Lottery Fund using the SPV to provide coordinated services (Connect Hackney) to older people to reduce and prevent social isolation
Voluntary and Community sector lead for One Hackney, an ambitious cross-sector programme to reduce ‘over’ or inappropriate use of GP and emergency services