A process whereby an organisation’s activities, products or services are externally verified and certified as having met a standard. At an individual level, accreditation can mean recognising an individual volunteer or member of staff’s achievements or learning.
A Ten Year Strategy for Positive Activities, published in July 2007, sets out the Government's plans to help all young people, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds, to take part in enjoyable and purposeful activities in their free-time.
APS is a national benchmark for organisations providing one-to-one, volunteer mentoring or befriending. Supported by the Government it aims to provide programmes with a badge of competence and safe practice in mentoring and befriending.
The person who is befriended.
“A befriender is a trained volunteer who offers their friendship, within agreed limits or boundaries, to someone who is isolated or lonely.” BHL Volunteer Befriender Training – Volunteering to befriend (BNS distance learning pack).
Offers supportive, reliable relationships through volunteer befrienders to people who would otherwise be socially isolated.
Capacity Builders Agency set up by Government in June 2005 as a sector-led agency that will manage the ChangeUp framework at arms length from the government.
Can include a wide range of support, techniques and initiatives that aim to build the capacity of individuals, organisations or communities e.g., developing an organisation’s internal structures and systems, and external relationships.
A policy and funding initiative delivered by Capacity Builders which is designed to support the infrastructure of the voluntary and community sector.
The central government policy designed to promote people becoming good citizens – being active in their local community through volunteering etc. Citizenship education is now compulsory for young people in secondary schools.
Commissioning is a term used in planning public services. It is the process of assessing the needs of people in an area, considering how best and by whom those needs can be met, and then planning the provision of services.
Concern about community cohesion came out of the recent unrest in some of the Northern Cities such as Oldham. The aim of various community cohesion initiatives is to appreciate and celebrate diversity between people in local communities, promote understanding and reduce hostilities.
An Agreement between the Government and the Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS) made in 1998. It is designed to improve their relationship for mutual advantage. Within the Compact are five Codes of Practice relating to the following areas:
• Black & Minority Ethnic (BME) Voluntary & Community Groups (2001)
• Community Groups (July 2003)
• Consultation & Policy Appraisal (2000)
• Funding (2000)
• Volunteering (2001)
There are also some Local Compacts, which are agreements at a local level between the VCS sector, councils and other local public bodies.
Those organisations active on a local or community level, usually small, modestly funded and largely dependent on voluntary, rather than paid, effort. It can be seen as distinct from the larger, professionally staffed agencies which are most visible in voluntary sector profiles. Hence the phrase 'voluntary and community sector' to encompass the full range.
A voluntary organisation which is set up, owned and run by local groups to support, promote and develop local voluntary and community action. CVS support their members by providing them with a range of services and by acting as a voice for the local voluntary and community sector. Usually funded by the local authority and other local statutory agencies, there is a CVS working in almost every district and city in England. Individual CVS differ in character and size, although they usually work to the same geographical boundaries as the local authority.
The CRB’s aim is to help organisations in the public, private and voluntary sectors by identifying candidates who may be unsuitable to work with children or other vulnerable members of society.
Generally refers to the progress that a mentee/befriendee makes towards desired outcomes as a result of the project. This can include differences in attitudes, perceptions or skills over time.
The process by which voluntary groups delivering public services ensure that the full costs of the activities are reflected in the price they expect for the contract or service level agreement.
A national programme funded by the Office of the Third Sector which focuses on spreading good practice in relation to the recruitment, management and retention of volunteers, mentors and befrienders from socially excluded groups. Phase 1 of GoldStar, which commenced in April 2006, consisted of existing GoldStar mentoring projects. During Phase 2, the scheme was extended to include a further 22 projects previously funded under the Volunteer Recruitment Fund.
Refers to the process by which charity management and trustees oversee and determine the direction, finance and day to day running of a charity. Governance is overseen by and accountable to the Charity Commission.
An office of central government in each region with responsibility for applying/administering certain central government policies in the region.
Sums of money given to a charity, organisation or individual, usually from some kind of grant making body such as a charitable foundation or government department. A grant is different to a donation in that it is usually applied for along strict criteria drawn up by the grant maker that the applicant must adhere to in order to receive the money.
A funding stream available as part of the Lifelong Learning Programme (LLP) under the European Commission's Education and Culture DG
Outcomes that are easily observed and counted. They are often quantitative and are generally easier to measure than soft outcomes (see also Soft outcomes).
Hubs were partnerships of voluntary and community organisations who were brought together to improve the support available to the voluntary and community sector. There were six national hubs covering: performance governance, workforce development, information and communications technology (ICT), funding, and volunteering. In 2008 they were replaced with National Support Services Workstreams.
The ISA, which goes live in Autumn 2009, will help prevent unsuitable people from working with children and vulnerable adults. Using data gathered by the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB), it will assess every person who wants to work or volunteer with vulnerable people. Potential employees and volunteers will need to apply to register with the ISA before they can work with vulnerable people.
Organisations that provide support services to frontline organisations usually in relation to physical facilities, structures, systems, relationships, people, knowledge and skills.
Investing in Volunteers is a UK quality standard for all organisations which involve volunteers in their work. The Standard enables organisations to comprehensively review their volunteer management, and also publicly demonstrates their commitment to volunteering.
Established in April 2001, the national Learning and Skills Council is a Government body that co-ordinates and funds training, apprenticeships and education initiatives to improve opportunities for adults.
The process of transferring policy, good practice or activity from area-based initiatives or special programmes into the core of mainstream service provision.
The Matrix standard is a quality framework for the effective delivery of information, advice and/or guidance on learning and work and can be achieved for services that are provided either externally or internally.
The person who is mentored.
A person who supports someone through a difficult time in their life.
Mentoring is a one-to-one, non-judgemental relationship in which an individual voluntarily gives time to support and encourage another. This is typically developed at a time of transition in the mentee's life, and lasts for a significant and sustained period of time.
Mentoring and Befriending Foundation
Growing network of 357 CVS and other LIOs (Local Voluntary and Community Sector Infrastructure Organisations) throughout England. NACVS promotes voluntary and community action by supporting its member CVS and by acting as a national voice for the local voluntary and community sector.
National umbrella body for voluntary organisations and charities in England. NCVO represents more than 1,000 organisations in negotiations with the Government over service levels, charity law and consultation. Also provides support and services to organisations.
NOS describe competent performance in terms of outcomes. They allow a clear assessment of competence against nationally agreed standards of performance, across a range of workplace circumstances for all roles. NOS also form the basis of qualifications, most commonly National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs).
Scheme that aims to move the long-term unemployed into the job market through training, work placements and subsidised employment.
As part of the Cabinet Office, the Office of the Third Sector (OTS) leads work across Government to support the environment for a thriving third sector (voluntary and community groups, social enterprises, charities, co-operatives and mutuals), enabling the sector to campaign for change, deliver public services, promote social enterprise and strengthen communities.
Outcomes are the changes, benefits or other results that happen as a result of your activities.
Outputs are the services or products you put in place in order to achieve the desired change/outcomes.
Peer mentors play a strongly proactive, preventative role by helping reduce isolation, develop social skills and encourage friendships.
The natural willingness of most people, young or old, to act in a co-operative, friendly way towards one another. It is best described as “helping and supporting people when they need it so they can help themselves”. There are different types of peer support, for example peer mediation (when children and young people are trained in conflict resolution), peer education (young people are trained to pass on academic skills and knowledge to other young people) or peer listening (trained listeners are available for others to talk to if there is a problem).
Practical Quality Assurance System for Small Organisations. A quality standard developed specifically for small and medium-sized voluntary and community organisations.
An exercise conducted by Government departments and other funders to identify and select potential providers. Organisations successful at the PQQ stage are invited to submit tenders (ITT) for future contracts.
Departmental Public Service Agreements (PSA’s) link the allocation of public expenditure to published targets with the aim of delivering modern, responsive public services. Local Public Service Agreements are a package of performance targets, easing of red tape, and financial incentives designed to help local authorities deliver measurable improvements in services.
A key Communities and Local Government's project aimed at raising the aspirations, attainment and achievement of Black boys and young Black men, enabling them to reach their potential. REACH includes proposals to establish a national role modelling programme drawing largely on the experiences on mentoring.
The Government has set up development agencies in the eight English regions and London to promote economic growth and regeneration. The RDAs outside the capital were established in 1999 and have progressively gained more funding and freedom from ministers.
Restricted funds are those donated to a charity that are subject to specific requirements which may be declared by the donor(s), for example to a cancer charity for breast cancer research. Or they might be restricted by the charity, for example, for a specific appeal.
This term is used to describe people or areas that suffer from a combination of factors that include unemployment, high crime, low incomes and poor housing.
A conceptual framework for capturing social and environmental benefits of projects and programmes.
Outcomes which are typically defined as intangible and more difficult to measure. They are commonly used for changes in attitudes and self-perception.
Refers to moves by charities to move beyond short-term funding for their activities, to more durable and dependable funding so that work is adequately supported and expansion is possible where necessary. Strategies include selling products or services such as publications or consultancy.
Generic collective name for charity, voluntary, community, non-government and campaigning organisations.
An organisation whose role it is to support Voluntary and Community Sector Organisations.
Independent charity championing youth volunteering in England. It runs ‘vinvolved’, a £70 million new funding programme as part of a national framework to transform youth volunteering in England.
Provides a range of services to those operating in the voluntary sector.
