The next big step

Sorry it's been so long since the last blog.

Lot's of work underway - and a mad couple of months in prospect.

Wrapping up some marketing work for a play/disability organisation

Setting up a new community organisation, and applying for funding to develop the youth work

More funding for a client providing advice and advocacy for parents of disabled children

Developing creative learning opportunities for trustees and management committees for a CVS as interim management of a lottery funded project

Taking the mapping of nutrition degree courses worldwide to the next level, and developing a marketing plan for the results

Part of a pan-London safeguarding project team

Participating in a strategy day for a disability charity

And that's just this week - hence the feeling that maybe Flourishing has reached the stage where it needs more resources - premises, associates and staff. In discussions on all three fronts - so watch this space...

Cognitive Surplus

If the work you are engaged in does not stretch you - or develop your skills then you may be in a cognitive surplus situation. Essentially, you have more to offer. Frustration results and alternative outlets are sought.

This is not a new phenomenon - but there is an increasing awareness of the consequences.

The truth about what really motivates us...

Check this link - worth 10 minutes of your time to think about how you manage your staff, and the kind of organisation you are building.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u6XAPnuFjJc

No win - no fee

A small local advocacy group is struggling to finance its work. The manager is funding the activities herself. This is an organisation meeting the needs of vulnerable people, and filling a niche - but struggling to attract funds.

Flourishing are offering a no win, no fee funding service to help them get things off the ground - and to move to the next stage of development. 5 funding applications - with a flat fee for each successful one.

This is a new arrangement - and it will be interesting to see how it evolves. Initial feedback from the first potential funder seems encouraging.

Trustee Development Assignment

New assignment confirmed this week, for a London Borough CVS.

Delivery of lottery funded trustee development activities - to include workshops, newsletters and networking opportunities.

The focus is on broadening skills and encouraging trustees to look up and out to ensure that their organisations are evolving and responding to the changing environment. Already planning some speed dating activities to match potential trustees to vacancies - and some self directed learning activities to sit alongside masterclasses for chairs and treasurers.

Adult Social Care Review - Mencap

Adult Social Care Review workshop at National Mencap's offices this week. Attending in my capacity as Director at Barnet Mencap.

Social care law is very complex and in some places conflicting. This has led to a postcode lottery of social care, where every local authority has taken differing interpretations of the law.

The Law Commission have been asked by the Government (2009) to undertake a review of all social care law. They have been asked to attempt to clarify and simply adult social care law. The review covers both England and Wales.

Mencap believes that this is of major importance to the future of adult social care and to the way services for people with a learning disability are run. Local Mencaps are attending a workshop to explore this issue and highlight the consequences for their groups and user communities.

AidExcel Support Services

Supporting AidExcel Support Services to develop a marketing plan, alongside a funding strategy.

This organisation provide support, advice, signposting and training for parents of disabled children from BME and new migrant communities. There is a significant demand for their work, and it's all about developing at a sustainable pace - promoting existing services, adding new ones, diversifying income streams and establishing a solid platform for growth.

Draft proposals prepared and ready for discussion with the Director later this week.