NCVYS Rss Feed

Poll: Cuts facing the sector

CYP Now and the National Council for Voluntary Youth Services are calling on voluntary youth organisations to help us establish the size of cuts facing the sector by taking part in a short survey. We plan to use the information to raise awareness of the funding difficulties the sector currently faces and to influence the Comprehensive Spending Review in October. The survey should only take a few minutes to complete and the deadline for completing questionnaires is 17 September. Follow the link to fill out the questionnaire. http://www.zoomerang.com/Survey/WEB22B3Z5GSCQK

News: Cuts facing the sector

Cuts facing the sector

News: NCVYS response: Cutting red tape

NCVYS response: Cutting red tape

Following a request from the Minister for Civil Society, Nick Hurd MP, and as a strategic partner to the Cabinet Office, NCVYS is pleased to present their response to Cutting the red tape - exploring the top five burdens that currently limit the work of our members within the voluntary and commmunity youth sector.

We view the opportunity to influence a more enhanced role for charities and social enterprises as an important transformational agenda that could potentially free charities from unnecessary bureaucracy and costly barriers to service delivery. The NCVYS network welcomes the Government’s commitment to make it easier to run charities, voluntary organisations and social enterprises.

Read the consultation response here

News: NCVYS members Rathbone speak out over casual work for young people

NCVYS members Rathbone speak out over casual work for young people

Rathbone support young people to tranform their life circumstances and find meaningful employment. Their CEO Richard Williams has written an article in The Guardian 'Young people need secure jobs, not casual and part-time work'

He argues that '...for the majority of young people, including the 17,000 that we work with every year at Rathbone, getting a "proper" job is their means to living full and independent adult lives. Such jobs are increasingly hard to find, and the OECD says Britain now has the most young people in Europe who have given up altogether on the idea of getting a job.'

Read the full article here

News: Funding update and Financial monitoring service

Funding update and Financial monitoring service

NCVYS’s Policy Team is now producing a monthly Funding Update. This will bring together the funding opportunities mentioned in the SIS bulletin, and will additionally include local funding opportunities. The Policy Team is also regularly updating the Financial Monitoring Service. This is in response to the number of new details emerging around government spending and cuts, and we will continue this service until the Comprehensive Spending Review in Autumn 2010.

News: NCVYS responds to government�s sector challenge

NCVYS responds to government’s sector challenge

NCVYS and Children England have collaborated on a response to the Cabinet Office call for ideas and evidence from the voluntary and community sector on delivering savings and reforms that can contribute to rebalancing public finances and improving efficiency. This is part of our Speaking Out series of work which represents the voice of the voluntary and community youth sector in helping to shape policy across government departments. NCVYS is also working with NCVO on government’s call to reduce regulatory burdens on the sector and welcomes your views. Please contact Faiza@ncvys.org.uk by 26 August 2010 if you would like to input your views.

Read the response here

News: Come and join the Youth Zone at the party conference with NCVYS

Come and join the Youth Zone at the party conference with NCVYS

NCVYS will be going to party conference this year as a founding member of the Coalition for Young People which gives a voice to NCVYS members and partners supporting young people at each of the three major political party conferences. This year our presence at the conference includes a range of activity all taking place in a youth zone at each of the party conferences, which sees the coalition for young people address the following key issues for young people:

• What’s Youth Got To Do With It?
• Positive for Youth
• From House to Home
• Equality, Fairness and The Big Society
• Young People and Money
• Young People and the Digital Divide
• Quality Services
• Young Reporters

If you are at party conference, this is a great opportunity to raise the voice of young people by coming along to the youth zone and supporting NCVYS. The Conservative party conference is on Sunday 3rd October, the Labour party conference is on 26th September and the Liberal Democrat party conference will be held on 20th September. For more information please contact Faiza Chaudary, Director of Policy and Communications on 020 7278 1041.

News: Details of the National Citizen Service pilots for young people

Details of the National Citizen Service pilots for young people

On 22 July 2010, The Prime Minister announced plans for National Citizen Service (NCS) pilots in summer 2011.

A competitive tendering exercise will be launched on 2nd August 2010 for organisations to deliver these pilots. Information events for potential bidders/providers of NCS are being held on the following dates:-

London, Admiralty Arch , Ripley Courtyard (next to 26 Whitehall), Whitehall, London, SW1A 2DY
Thursday 5th August - 1.00pm or 3.00pm

Sheffield, Department for Education, 2 St Paul's Place, 6th Floor, 125 Norfolk Street, Sheffield
Monday 9th August - 1.00pm or 3.00pm

If you wish to register for a place at one of the information events that we are holding, please email the dedicated email address mailbox.nationalcitizenservice@education.gsi.gov.uk Please note that places are limited to one representative per organisation.

Further information and full press release can be viewed by clicking on the link below:-
http://tinyurl.com/29qjr2t

Organisations that want to work as part of a consortium and need partners should contact Beth Parker, Director of Service Development at NCVYS, beth@ncvys.org.uk 020 7278 1041, we will then put you in touch with other NCVYS members that your organisation could tender with.

News: NCVYS comment on the Prime Minister�s Big Society Speech

NCVYS comment on the Prime Minister’s Big Society Speech

Faiza Chaudary, Director of Policy and Communications said:

The government’s launch of the Big Society Bank is well received as a practical step forward in delivering much needed funding for local voluntary and community activities. However, NCVYS is worried that the existing commitment to young people as priority recipients of these funds was not re-asserted this morning. NCVYS wants to ensure that young people continue to be a priority group for these funds and is working with Government to ensure this.

We are pleased to see an open approach to developing partnerships with communities to deliver services, which this Government has consistently asserted. Whilst we welcome the push for the Big Society offered by the four pilot areas announced today, we want Government to offer much needed support to the many small charities and voluntary organisations that are seeing the tap being turned off now by local statutory agencies as an easy way to meet the pressure of efficiency targets.

NCVYS was interested to hear that personalized services are an important element of public service delivery envisaged by the Big Society, but would like to reiterate the point that coordination of excellent community activities needs to be matched by excellent local infrastructure support if we are to deliver the kind of advice, support and partnerships that will make the vision of the big society a local reality.

News: The Co-operative to create apprenticeship academy as part of �21m campaign to inspire young people

The Co-operative to create apprenticeship academy as part of £21m campaign to inspire young people

The Co-operative Group today (19 July) launched a £21m campaign to inspire young people including an ambitious new Apprenticeship Academy that will eventually offer all young staff transferrable skills, competences and qualifications - not just a job.

The new Co-operative Apprenticeship Academy is a key element of The Co-operative’s multi-faceted campaign, created to help reverse the negative image and treatment of those aged 25 and under and support their future life goals and ambitions.

The Co-operative, which has interests in food, financial services, pharmacy, funerals and travel, will offer its apprentices experience across its diverse family of businesses and the opportunity to work towards a nationally recognised qualification.

As well as creating job opportunities, the eight point Inspiring Young People campaign will inspire those aged 25 and under to change their world for the better, through Co-operative education, opportunities and campaigning.

Launching the campaign, Group Chief Executive Peter Marks urged the UK to start considering young people as the “solution and not the problem”

“Shackled with the legacy of national debt, an increasingly inaccessible property ladder and an uncertain future shaped by climate change, it’s a challenging time to be a young person in Britain,” he said. “Sadly, as a society, we harbour a widespread negative attitude towards young people which doesn’t encourage or inspire them. We believe it is exactly these attitudes that need to change rather than the all too common view that young people have an attitude problem.

“All too often, we see or hear stories which portray youngsters as poorly educated, work-shy and uncaring,” he said. “As someone who runs a business which employs over 120,000 people, a quarter of whom are 25 or under, I know this just isn’t true – we must start talking up the young and see them as the solution rather than the problem.’’

Find out more at the Inspiring Young People website

News: DCMS consultation on National Lottery Shares � NCVYS seeks your views

DCMS consultation on National Lottery Shares – NCVYS seeks your views

NCVYS has created a consultation document seeking the views of the voluntary and community youth sector on the draft Order to enact a change to the shares going to the National Lottery good causes of arts, sport, heritage and charitable expenditure, health, education and the environment.

NCVYS would like your views to inform its response to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) consultation on National Lottery Shares to ensure that any changes to Lottery funding continue to support activities for young people.

Please read the DCMS briefing paper to find out more and sumbit any feedback you can offer on the consultation to Dominic Weinberg, NCVYS’s Policy Officer, by 30 July 2010, at dominic@ncvys.org.uk.

Or alternatively fill out a response the online questionnaire. Thank you for your time.

News: 'Some Truth About Youth' - youth activism documentary wins national award

'Some Truth About Youth' - youth activism documentary wins national award

Young film-makers have won a national award for their documentary about the history of youth activism.

Ten volunteers between the ages of 16 and 25 spent more than four months creating the 40-minute film, which beat more than 80 entries at the Positive Images Awards.

The film, called Some Truth About Youth, was announced as Best Broadcast Created By Young People on Monday.

Budding filmmakers from all over the UK applied to join the film-making team for the British Youth Council (BYC) to mark its 60th anniversary.

The successful applicants were asked to create a film showcasing the achievements of young campaigners over six decades.

They filmed MPs and activists talking about how they held politicians accountable, and asked them how young people could improve society today.

Rhiannon, aged 25 from London, said: "I was one of ten young people involved in making Some Truth About Youth.

"It was an amazing experience and it gave me the confidence to go on to direct my own documentary, which featured in the East End film festival. The project also inspired me to support other young people to have the same kind of opportunity and I now work for the National Council for Voluntary Youth Services.

"After the hard work each team member put into the film it was great to win an award, particularly one judged by other young people."

For the past five years the Positive Images Awards have been recognising projects that show young people in a fair and balanced way. Members of the judging panel include young people, youth organisations and media representatives.

Young judge Kate Rowley said: "Some Truth About Youth has a very broad involvement and a total focus on positive images of young people through the past 60 years."

BYC chair Alex Delaney, aged 26, said: "I am delighted that the hard work of the young filmmakers has been recognised in this way.

"Some Truth About Youth highlights the impact that young people have made to society over the past 60 years.

"This award shows young people trying to make a difference right now that when we work together, we can get our voices heard - and others will listen."

The Some Truth About Youth video can be seen on the Community Channel website, www.communitychannel.org/content/view/3730/75 and will also be broadcast on the Community Channel, Freeview channel 87, on Thursday, July 22, at 11am and Sunday, July 25, at 3pm.

To see a video of the young winners receiving their award visit http://www.cypnow.co.uk/news/1015527

Youth groups and schools can request a DVD of the film by emailing communications@byc.org.uk. Profiles of all the Positive Images Award winners are available at www.positiveimagesawards.tv.

The BYC is a youth-led organisation for young people aged 25 and under across the UK, linking member organisations and local youth councils to empower young people to have their say and be heard on the issues they care about. For more information go to www.byc.org.uk.

News: Financial Monitoring Service

Financial monitoring service

NCVYS will be regularly updating our news feed with financial updates. This is in response to the number of new details emerging around government spending and cuts, and we will continue this service until the Comprehensive Spending Review in Autumn 2010.

News: Budget June 2010 - what does it mean for young people and the voluntary and community youth sector?

Budget June 2010 - what does it mean for young people and the voluntary and community youth sector?

28 June 2010 HM Treasury has published the ‘emergency’ budget for June 2010. NCVYS has produced a briefing paper highlighting key points for young people and the voluntary and community youth sector. In particular VAT will increase to 20% from 4 January 2010. Child benefit will be frozen for the next three years from April 2011, but there will be a £2bn increase in child tax credits.

To read the full NCVYS briefing (PDF) >> Policy briefings

HM Treasury information >> Budget June 2010

News: Cancellation of Shine Week 2010

Cancellation of Shine Week 2010

The Department for Education has been keen to emphasise that Shine Week has been a fantastic outlet to highlight the contribution of all young people. In the current spending climate, however, the Department feels that is necessary to focus on frontline services for young people and as a result Shine Week 2010 will not be going ahead.

The Department for Children, Schools and Families launched the Shine campaign in 2008 to celebrate the achievements of young people in schools and youth organisations. The Minister wanted to clarify that this decision is no reflection upon the hard work and achievements of the young people and youth organisations that have contributed to Shine to date.

The National Youth Agency which has led the Consortium of partners, including NCVYS, to deliver Shine is now preparing for activities to be redirected where possible. NCVYS is working with its members to look at how to support this.

Susanne Rauprich, Chief Executive of NCVYS, part of the Shine consortium of delivery partners said:

'Shine 2009 achieved so much in shining a light on young people's talent. Whilst we are disappointed that we will not be able to proceed with Shine 2010, we would like to thank members and young people for their support in celebrating young people's talents. We will support our members to continue to do this through the events that were pre-planned for Shine and going forward in everything we do.'

News: NCVYS launch Big Society Placements with new Minister for Civil Society, as the sector meets new parliament

NCVYS launch Big Society Placements with new Minister for Civil Society, as sector meets new parliament

The National Council for Voluntary Youth Services (NCVYS) launched the Big Society placement scheme at a parliamentary event held yesterday for the voluntary and community sector to meet the new parliament.

The event was hosted by Natascha Engel MP, Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Youth Affairs, supported by NCVYS and partner organisations. Over 50 NCVYS members working directly with young people came together to meet new MPs and key ministers including Nick Hurd MP, Minister for Civil Society and Tim Loughton MP the new Children's Minister. They looked at how collaborative efforts between government and the sector can improve the lives of over 15 million young people (under 24s) in England today.

Nick Hurd MP congratulated NCVYS on its role as the independent voice of the voluntary youth sector working to bring together a diverse network of charities working with young people in England. He supported the Big Society Placement scheme, a new scheme launched by NCVYS to offer MPs, Peers and Civil Servants the chance to be placed with a NCVYS member organisation to look at what the Big Society means on the ground and in terms of front line delivery of services to communities. The Minister was also one of the first to sign up for a placement himself. The Minister confirmed the Government's plans for the National Citizenship Service and looks forward to working with the sector to make this happen.

Simon Hughes MP, New Deputy Leader for the Liberal Democrat Party also spoke, demonstrating his personal commitment to young people and spoke of the need to engage young people in making a difference locally. He emphasised the need to support young people into work through offering increased opportunities for work experience as well as the need to build stronger local communities.

Faiza Chaudary, Director of Policy and Communications at NCVYS said: ' We are delighted that the Minister has supported our Big Society Placement scheme and look forward to working with the Cabinet Office, as a key strategic partner, to help make the vision of the Big Society a local reality in partnership with our network of members.'

News: NCVYS Comment on Queen's Speech: Building the Big Society

NCVYS Comment on Queen's Speech: Building the Big Society

Responding to today’s Queen’s Speech, Susanne Rauprich, Chief Executive of NCVYS said:

“We are encouraged that the role of charities and social enterprise has been recognised by the new Government as an area for enhancement in the delivery of public services. Please click here to read more.

News: New NCVYS briefing on Building the Big Society

New NCVYS briefing on Building the Big Society

In May 2010, The Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister launched Building the Big Society, which outlines the new government’s civil society programme. This is the government’s ambition to “put more power and opportunity into people’s hands.” The government believes that by giving people and communities more power, they will take more responsibility, and fairness and opportunity for all can be achieved.

This briefing paper summarises the policy programme, and highlights potential issues for the voluntary and community youth sector arising from the publication.

Read the briefing paper here >> Building the Big Society, HM Government, A briefing paper from NCVYS

Poll: Training providers questionnaire

NCVYS is leading a consortium of organisations to deliver 25,000 accredited short courses for the third sector young people's workforce. This survey seeks information from third sector organisations who already deliver accredited training or want to do so in future. We are hoping to find out who is interested in working with us to deliver this ambitious programme and what support organisations need to make it happen.

News: NCVYS comment on Party Manifestos

NCVYS comment on Party Manifestos

Rhetoric around strengthening communities is strong in all three party manifestos. We welcome this focus and the move to potentially deliver more through local communities but call on all parties to be clearer on their costing and details of the proposals put forward. Whilst their proposals offer significant opportunities for voluntary and community organisations they are not going to be easily realised without financial support. There is much in the Conservative Party manifesto that calls the public to join in the delivery of government services where these are perceived to be inadequate or not serving local need. This presents an opportunity for local communities and infrastructure bodies to coordinate a community response through voluntary action, but such action will be reliant on the appetite, engagement and capacity of local residents to get involved as well as the strength of local partnerships. Deprived communities will need additional support in ensuring they have the resources available to take advantage of the Conservative offer to run community services instead of the state.

We are pleased that all parties are committed to the 2020 end child poverty target. However steps to achieve this in the manifestos do not go far enough in practically supporting those at risk of poverty, particularly young people, who we know are being disproportionately affected by the impact of the recession. With levels of youth unemployment rising above the 1 million mark in quarter 3 of last year and remaining stubbornly high, we now need radical solutions – not provided by the manifesto pledges by all three parties. It is encouraging that Labour retains its commitment to the Future Jobs Fund, but we would have welcomed proposals to extend the duration of this programme further for young people who are unemployed. The commitments from all parties to increase apprenticeships and open further education places are positive developments but without stronger safeguards within the jobs marketplace new cycles of worklessness for young people will develop. We need to ensure that there are jobs available for those who complete apprenticeships and further education once they are ready to enter the workplace. We would like to see young people being a priority part of the workforce in the new economies and enterprise models being put forward by each of the parties.

As well as the economic challenges posed by limited education, employment and/or training opportunities, young people are facing social challenges every day. Yet solutions for dealing with these challenges appear to be on the periphery of proposals in the party manifestos and this is disappointing. The Liberal Democrats have pledged to place youth services on a statutory footing, but further answers are needed from the main parties to deal with the wide range of issues that affect young people. Citizenship schemes are not the only solution to addressing the wide range of social challenges being faced by our young people, young people need to be protected in the design and delivery of all public services – statutory and non-statutory alike.

Faiza Chaudary, Director of Policy and Communications, NCVYS

NCVYS briefing on manifestos
NCVYS is producing a briefing on the implications of the main parties' manifestos for the children and young people's voluntary and community sector which will be available on our website next week.

Click on the links below for copies of the three parties manifestos:

The Labour Party has published A Future Fair for All, its manifesto for the 2010 general election.

The Conservative Party has published Invitation to Join the Government of Britain, its manifesto for the 2010 general election.

The Liberal Democrat Party has published its manifesto for the 2010 general election.