Well it has taken rather longer than planned to update this blog. So what has happened since the last post. Quite a lot, as it happens. After a period of ill health in the spring (fully recovered and back with a vengeance - thanks for asking!) - the focus of my work has been on community development or social action projects.
There is an evident gap in service provision for vulnerable people, as local authorities grapple with limited funding and pressures to cut or re-imagine the ways in which they work. Here in North London we have a local authority subcontracting in a significant way, and this is of concern to residents. How will the provider square quality of care with pressure to make a profit for shareholders? What will happen to smaller organisations with local knowledge and existing relationships? Whatever happened to Choice and Independence?
On the other hand, putting the children and young peoples services out to tender has resulted in the bulk of the contracts awarded to the voluntary and community sector - individually or as consortia. So there is a commitment to support a thriving voluntary sector.
Recent assignments have including governance work for embryonic voluntary and community groups, who have seen a gap and secured funding to address real issues. Getting the foundations right is really important for future growth - and I have been working on organisation development issues such as legal frameworks, policy structures, development of trustee teams, sustainable business plans and recruitment of key staff.
In each case there is a individual, or a small group, with a clear vision and a heart for changing the lives of the vulnerable.
If this is of interest to you - then contact karen@flourishing.me.uk
In the meantime - take a look at this document, produced by Julian Lomas at Almond Tree. I am pleased to be part of the Synatus network of freelance consultants working in the third sector. Julian has shared this summary of the Hodgson Review of the charities act. Please contact him to share your thoughts.
Was the Hodgson Review a Damp Squib
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