Neath Port Talbot Council for Voluntary Service

Graham Benfield, Chief Executive of WCVA outlined the future challenges ad opportunities for the Third Sector in Wales at an information briefing at Neath Port Talbot CVS on Monday 24^th May 2010. Political change at a UK, national and local level contributes to an uncertain future.  With the impact of public spending cuts still unknown in Wales, Graham Benfield advised anticipating and embracing the future… ‘being ahead of the wave’.

Graham Benfield presents at ‘The Third Sector - The Future, its Challenges and Opportunities'

Given that ‘the only certainty is uncertainty’ Graham Benfield advised ‘infinite flexibility’ is needed! Contingency planning and an early dialogue with funders will be critical.  Assembly and local government elections in 2011 will slow down decision making as elections draw near.

Regional working, collaboration and co-operation and the procurement process are among the challenges for the sector.

‘Enterprise is our business’ said Graham Benfield as he outlined the opportunities for the sector, which included climate change, commissioning, the co-production of services and the volunteer employment agenda.

An efficient and effective sector will be well placed to overcome and meet these challenges.

Gaynor Richards, Director - Neath Port Talbot CVS speaking at the event

The Big Lottery Fund (BIG) in Wales is launching a package of measures to assist communities and to support third sector organisations during the recession. New funding of £2.5 million in Wales has been allocated by BIG’s UK Board. The three elements of the package are as follows:

New Awards.  A new ‘fast track’ stream of BIG’s People & Places programme specifically dedicated to the recession will be launched, offering grants of up to £50,000 over two years to third sector organisations currently providing advice services.  Applications will be invited from organisations providing advice services including, but not limited to, the following areas: Income maximisation – benefits advice, Financial literacy, Debt advice, Mental health, Domestic violence

Flexible Grant Management.  BIG is currently monitoring existing grant holders for any sign that the outcomes of their projects may be at risk because of the impact of the recession.  Only two projects in Wales are currently reporting difficulties.  BIG’s grant management processes are already very flexible, and BIG’s staff are aware of the need to exercise the full flexibility available under existing tolerances if projects are encountering difficulties.  In addition, BIG will introduce the provision of additional funds to top-up awards to existing grant-holders where projects are demonstrably at risk as a direct result of the recession, with up to £500,000 made available for this purpose. We will be shortly be contacting grant holders with more detailed information about how this will work.

Priority for Projects Mitigating the Impact of the Recession.  The final element of the package is to make use of the flexibility of BIG’s existing People & Places demand-led programme.  The award-making Committee has agreed to prioritise applications for projects which are likely to support communities withstand the impact of the recession.  This will be implemented from the Committee’s September meeting and it is estimated that this should result in grants of up to £3 million being made available to projects which will provide direct support to communities most affected by the recession.

For further information about BIG’s recession package please visit www.biglotteryfund.org.uk/wales or contact our information line on 01686 611 700. Information will be available on online from Friday 14^th August.