10 July (AGM)

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" colspan=2 height=90 BGCOLOR="#006699" TEXT="#080000" background="09ed05a3.jpg"> <div> <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><B>          </B></FONT><FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><B>                             </B></FONT><FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#FF0000" FACE="Arial" ><B>    Reading Council for Voluntary Youth Service</B></FONT><B>    </B><B> </B></div> <div> </div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" width=210 BGCOLOR="#FFCC66" TEXT="#080000" background="09fd2123.jpg"> <div> <A HREF="id28.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="1 Apr 2003"><U><B>1 Apr 2003</B></U></A></div> <div> <B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700c8ff000000.png" HEIGHT="13" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">10 July (AGM)</B></div> <div> <A HREF="id30.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="13 Nov"><U><B>13 Nov</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id33.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="20 Jan 2004"><U><B>20 Jan 2004</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id51.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="22 Jun 2004"><U><B>22 Jun 2004</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id90.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="19 Oct 2004"><U><B>19 Oct 2004</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id87.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="2 Mar 2005"><U><B>2 Mar  2005</B></U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE=" Reading Council for Voluntary Youth "><U><B>Home</B></U></A></div> <bR> <bR> </td> <td valign="top" height=390 BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <I>10 July (AGM)</I></div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <I><B>Notes from RCVYS AGM and ordinary meeting</B></I></div> <div> Held Thu July 10<FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Comic Sans MS" >th</FONT> 12-2</div> <div> at Millenium Volunteers</div> <div> (21 South St, Reading)</div> <bR> <div> <B>Present</B></div> <div> Vic Hills</div> <div> Gaenor Burton</div> <div> Eric Goulding</div> <div> Cath Bethell</div> <div> Deb Fox </div> <div> Joe Green</div> <div> Colin Gault</div> <div> Rhiannon Williams</div> <div> Richard Stowell</div> <div> Kevin Terry</div> <div> Ray Tapken</div> <bR> <div> <B>Apologies</B></div> <div> Alison Steadman</div> <div> Mary Jacobs</div> <div> Karen Brown</div> <div> Andy Freeman</div> <bR> <div> <B>Election of Officers</B></div> <div> The following were elected unanimously for another year</div> <div> Chairman                           Vic Hills</div> <div> Vice Chair                         Deb Fox</div> <div> Treasurer                         Joe Green</div> <div> Secretary                         Alison Steeman</div> <div> Committee member          Karen Brown (subject to her agreement)</div> <bR> <div> Another committee member is to be sought from among uniformed organisations</div> <bR> <div> <B>Election of representatives to other bodies</B></div> <div> VH was elected to BCVYS as per the RCVYS constitution</div> <bR> <div> VH explained that the exec committee had had to make a decision on the choice of reps for RVSF as these nominations had had to be submitted prior to this meeting. He asked for the meeting to ratify the nomination. The meeting approved the nomination of </div> <bR> <div> VH to RVSF committee</div> <div> JG and VH to LMC Connexions </div> <div> RW raised the issue of involvement of voluntary youth groups on RVSF. There is a need for reps to be elected from a wider base than is currently the case. Can RCVYS help identify who could take on these roles? This is part of the Children's and Youth Development Worker's longer term brief.</div> <div> There was also a discussion on the importance of the recruitment role. If we are to be a credible voice then we need a wider involvement from the voluntary youth sector. It is hoped that Cath's work will achieve this over time. JG indicated that the existing membership details had already been handed over to CB who was now working to consolidate that information. A formal membership pack has been prepared setting out the details of who we are and what we do. This was shared with the meeting.</div> <div> DF expressed an interest in being on RVSF reps group.</div> <div> KT asked if we had other reps on BCVYS. Other organisations had representatives who also sit on RCVYS</div> <div> VH indicated that he would like to see the date of our AGM moved to ensure that we were not in the same position next year. By moving our AGM forward we would be in a better position to nominate people from a wider group to appropriate groups and fora at the RVSF AGM. The proposed meeting times for next year were therefore</div> <div> mid Jan 2004</div> <div> end Mar 2004</div> <div> w/c 21 June 2004 (to include AGM)</div> <div> mid Oct 2004</div> <div> This was agreed. </div> <div> Wednesday lunchtime was proposed as the best for all present, however it was agreed that the timing would be reviewed once there is a clearer view of the membership profile</div> <div> END of AGM</div> <bR> <div> ORDINARY MEETING</div> <div> Approval of minutes of last meeting</div> <div> JG noted that there were 2 sections marked point 2. The second of these contained and error. This should refer to TYWDF rather than MV. </div> <bR> <div> RS indicated that the note in point 3 that there was to be no support from the Children's fund for workers in uniformed groups was inaccurate.</div> <bR> <div> With these amendments Vic signed the minutes.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Matters arising from minutes of last meeting</B></div> <div> Sam Wilkins is to replace Simon Doherty at RVA (CGP)</div> <bR> <div> <I><B>RCVYS REPORTS</B></I></div> <bR> <div> <B>Chairman's report : Vic Hills</B></div> <bR> <div> VH said he had nothing extra to report beyond that already presented to the AGM. He wanted to celebrate the achievement of the group that Cath was now in post just 1 ½ years from the inception of the group. Any other issues would be raised in the course of the rest of the agenda</div> <bR> <div> <B>Treasurer's report : Joe Green</B></div> <bR> <div> An account has now been set up. This is a Charities Aid Foundation (CAF) cash account to maximise interest. The Transforming Youth Work Development Fund (TYWDF) money had been received from Reading Borough Council  (RBC).</div> <div> A budget needs to be put in place immediately.</div> <div> In order to handle cash CB will make requests to Reading YMCA who will invoice RCVYS. Summaries will be provided to future RCVYS meetings.</div> <div> Full accounts will be presented to next year's AGM.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Development Worker's Report :  Cath Bethell</B></div> <div> A comprehensive report from CB is attached</div> <bR> <div> <B>Training</B></div> <div> RT queried the training issues. Why was there not a better take up on free training provided by groups like RBC. Was this a time issue or perhaps a problem with communication?</div> <div> VH suggested that personal contact was the best form of communication of this information.</div> <bR> <div> <B>South East Regional Event</B></div> <div> VH expressed concern over the choice of date (!7/9/03) for SE regional event from Connexions. DF expressed an interest in coming to this. </div> <bR> <div> <B>Positive Activities for Young People (PAYP)</B></div> <div> Following questions about PAYP, RS indicated that money had been made available for the summer initially but it was intended that this would be a rolling programme. The voluntary sector is seen to be a key provider. The activities are targeted at crime prevention. VH pointed out that on the figures we had received it appeared that only half the money had been allocated therefore lots of opportunity remained to bid.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Criminal Records Bureau (CRB)</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Comic Sans MS" ><B> </B></FONT></div> <bR> <div> There was a request for clarification on RBCs position on CRB checks. VH said he was currently getting confused messages. RS said he thought that this was available only to groups that were already in the system and would not be available to any new groups. DF pointed out that all of the information was being passed on to the groups concerned for storage. RW said that the Compact had picked up on this issues.</div> <div> Action: VH to get clarification on this matter</div> <bR> <div> RS added that RBC has an Identification, Referral and Tracking (IRT) manager, Andy Binks. It may be appropriate to invite him to a future meeting</div> <bR> <div> <B>2. Children's fund report : Richard Stowell</B></div> <div> The Children's Fund (CF) covers children aged 5 - 13. It is focused on early intervention and prevention. It is required to deliver a new Early Intervention (EI) service & a local Early Intervention and Prevention (EI & P) strategy</div> <div> The Children's Fund is targeted in three geographical areas. </div> <div> <B>Coley Park</B> - Currently there are 3 workers in 2 primary schools and there will be a part-funded Parents and Children Together (PACT) post to manage the proposed community facility at St Mary's and All Saints in the form of an extended school i.e. a school which includes other facilities such as adult learning, post office, health visitors etc.</div> <div> <B>Southcote</B> - Currently working with (Youth and Community) Y&C. There are issues of recruitment here.</div> <div> <B>Lower Caversham</B> - Currently 3 staff, 2 based in primary schools + a new co-ordinator based at Y&C centre in Amersham Rd. They are also part funding a Churches Together in Caversham (CTC) youth worker who is to be appointed shortly.</div> <div> There are a number of additional posts. These are sports development worker and project worker based within YOT. There are also 2 new posts as Personal Advisors (PA) in Highdown & The Blessed Hugh Farringdon schools. They are focused on the impact of the change to secondary school.</div> <bR> <div> The CF is also working on a local preventative strategy. RS wants to ensure that we are working to develop the role of voluntary sector in this.</div> <div> VH pointed out that RCVYS did not have a representative on Children & Young People's Strategic Partnership (ChYPSP). RW suggested that the partnership could extend an invitation. We then discussed whether RCVYS should offer to represent the 11+ group. </div> <div> RW said that Laura Edes was planning an event (Esther Fluery- Griffiths has details). </div> <div>       RS said that he understood that there was some funding from RBC to ChYPSP which could be key to</div> <div>      voluntary sector's involvement here. The group is currently about to reconfigure itself. </div> <div> RW indicated that she felt that the group was of key strategic importance and genuine in its desire for involving the voluntary sector. VH asked whether CB should be asked to take this forward although he felt it was against current thinking. This was agreed. </div> <div> VH was asked to write a letter from RCVYS to ask for a post. RS offered to support this. CB will draft a letter for this.</div> <bR> <div> JG asked if anyone knew what was happening with the Children's & Young People's Forum</div> <div> KT said it was under review at  present.</div> <bR> <div> VH concluded the report by explaining that RS had been asked to report as he was a representative of a key voluntary group. It was not in his capacity as stakeholder.  </div> <bR> <div> <B><U>3. RBC grants, VSSU & Grant Liason Officers</U></B></div> <bR> <div> Copies of the full VSSU spreadsheet in electronic format are available via CB. </div> <bR> <div> <B><U>4.  Connexions Update</U></B></div> <bR> <div> JG will circulate notes on this to all present. Connexions now starting to take shape. There are a number of specialist PAs in areas such as drug and substance abuse. People now in post. There is a referral system that voluntary sector should be aware of. PAYP (formerly SPLASH etc) is now intended to be an all year round programme. </div> <div> Voluntary sector involvement in Connexions has been a target but there has been difficulties in the dissemination of information.</div> <bR> <div> LMC is currently chaired by Andrew Daykin. It had been felt that the chair should be independent and not from the local authority. Amandeep Knaith had been proposed as an independent chair. She is the current deputy member of the Reading Youth Parliament.</div> <bR> <div> DF raised the point that there was no specialist disability PA within Connexions and that the database of opportunities cannot be accessed directly. JG said that there had been a bid for a PA specialising in mental health but there had been about 11 bids to 3 posts</div> <div> RS replied that one of PAYP keyworkers has a disability which may help raise awareness. Website and services directory should be available imminently but this did not necessarily help the visually impaired.</div> <bR> <div> <B><U>5. Reading Youth Forum Update</U></B></div> <bR> <div> Connexions is now taking a lead here and the meetings are going OK</div> <bR> <div> <B><U>6. Funding and Grant Opportunities</U></B></div> <bR> <div> PAYP already covered elsewhere</div> <bR> <div> Local Network Fund.  RS is on the grants committee. He recommends that people get bids in as soon as possible. They are looking for new projects with a clear understanding of what the Children & Young People actually want.</div> <bR> <div> <B><U>7. Training</U></B></div> <bR> <div> CB pointed out that Gill Brookman was anxious to include the voluntary sector on courses being offered.</div> <bR> <div> JG talked about NVQ trg (JNC - recognised). Kevan Wayne-Morris at BACYP can access single modules of this for interested parties.  Child Protection module was ready. This is 15 hrs training. Anyone interested should contact Kevan direct on 0118 9784001 or <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Comic Sans MS" ><A HREF="mailto:trainingofficer@bacyp.freeserve.co.uk" TARGET="_top" TITLE="mailto:trainingofficer@bacyp.freeserve.c"><U><U>trainingofficer@bacyp.freeserve.co.uk</U></U></A></FONT>.</div> <bR> <div> Kevan is also offering First Aid courses. </div> <bR> <div> RW said that Russell Gabini (Social Services) had a pot of money for use in paying for training the voluntary and private sector. This includes things like Health and Safety and Manual Handling. It had been suggested that he ask the voluntary sector to identify their own needs over the next year. VH wondered if we could write to him with a view to accessing this year's pot? CB said we should ask whether this would cover related issues like First Aid and Child Protection? CB to pursue this possibility.</div> <bR> <div> <B><U>8. Strategic Issues</U></B></div> <bR> <div> “Every Child Matters” green paper now likely in September.</div> <bR> <div> RBC's Youth Service review is now due to be reported by the end of Sept. We should seek an update at our next meeting (13 Nov 2003). It was proposed that Tom Corban should be invited to address that meeting.</div> <bR> <div> <B><U>9.  ReachOUT </U></B></div> <bR> <div> VH had been called in to represent the voluntary sector in this matter. The group had lost it's board of trustees with the exception of one person. RBC already fund various aspects of the groups work. In a meeting between Tom Corban (RBC-PYO) and VH it had been concluded that as an interim measure RBC was happy to fund and line manage all of staff.  This was the best solution that could be reached at this stage. There would be an annual review and if ReachOUT was at a point where it was able to “go it alone” as a vibrant independent voluntary organisation then it would be released with funding attached. RVA/RCVYS are to look into any other solutions. If none are found then it will be taken into the statutory sector by the end of September 2003 subject to councillor approval.</div> <bR> <div> Some discussion followed resulting in a request that VH maintain a watching brief of this situation.</div> <bR> <div> <B><U>10. Other matters we wish to raise</U></B></div> <bR> <div> Three possible sources of minibus testing have been identified. These are </div> <div> Readibus</div> <div> Berks Scout Enterprises</div> <div> Ben Graham</div> <div> For more details contact CB</div> <div> There was a question as to whether this was another area that would be appropriate to ask the social services pot to cover</div> <bR> <div> <B><U>11. Date/time of next meeting</U></B></div> <bR> <div> Thu 13<FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Comic Sans MS" >th</FONT> Nov 12-2 at MV (venue to be confirmed)</div> <bR> <div> The meeting closed at 2:05pm</div> <bR> <bR> <div> <B><U>Development Workers Report: July 2003</U></B></div> <bR> <div> <B>Background</B></div> <bR> <div> I took up this post on 6th May this year so I have now been in post for 2 months.</div> <bR> <div> My background is perhaps a little unusual in that I worked in the electronics industry for 13 years before taking time out while my children were young. So why RCVYS? Since the age of 14 I have been a volunteer myself, always involved in work with young people. I currently head up a peer led church youth group (in my spare time) with a fantastic bunch of young people as well as being involved with the running of an adventure camp in the summer and teaching and assessing lifesaving and canoeing. So perhaps it's inevitable I would end up in a role like this. </div> <bR> <div> Working for RCVYS so far has been fun and rewarding. My role requires me to</div> <div> map the existing provision for children and young people by getting out and meeting the voluntary and community groups</div> <div> encourage and enable resource sharing between groups</div> <div> support the work of these organisations</div> <div> identify gaps in provision with a view to seeking opportunities and bidding for resources to sustain or expand  services where provision is limited</div> <div> support, represent and advocate on behalf of RCVYS and children & youth services in appropriate local fora</div> <div> promote and enable a stronger voice for children & young people in the voluntary sector in Reading</div> <div> identify training needs and liase with funding bodies and providers to maximise opportunities</div> <div> identify and develop capacity building opportunities</div> <bR> <div> I obviously can't do it all at one so my two main areas of focus have been to get out and meet various voluntary and community groups as well as trying to meet the key players in the statutory services. The groups have ranged from Sea Scouts to a youth drop in centre in the former Forbury Vaults pub. I have tried, as far as I can, to meet a mix of groups from different backgrounds. I was recently treated by the Bangladeshi Association of Greater Reading to a tour of the Mosque where they are based.</div> <bR> <div> I have been receiving a warm welcome wherever I go and met some lovely children and young people. So far I have met with around 25 different groups.</div> <bR> <div> I'm also building good working relationships with workers from other groups such as RVA and BCVYS who have all been very helpful and supportive.</div> <bR> <div> As far as the statutory bodies are concerned I have met with a number of key players to discuss issues like training and funding. In the last week the main area of communication has been with the Connexions team in an attempt to clarify the PAYP situation. I am attempting to get myself on the circulation lists of these various people so that I get the information first hand rather than belatedly or, worse still, not at all. It is not a straightforward issue and involves building credibility and trust with the people concerned.</div> <bR> <div> Because my role is partly funded by the Children's fund, I have been working closely with Richard Stowell on the issues particular to the areas that the Children's fund targets. These areas are also areas where there is often less voluntary sector involvement.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Networking</B></div> <bR> <div> So far I have met around 25 groups. All have expressed enthusiasm for the idea of being a part of RCVYS. I have tried to vary the groups in terms of size, ethnicity, location and type of activity to give me a broad picture of the work being done in Reading. </div> <bR> <div> The last week has been difficult to make appointments with groups as people go into summer holiday mode.</div> <bR> <div> I am now concentrating on making plans to visit groups that run special activities over the summer instead until the start of the next academic year so if that's you and I haven't contacted you then please let me know!</div> <bR> <div> <B>Promoting RCVYS</B></div> <bR> <div> I have developed a “marketing” brochure for RCVYS which can be taken to all of the groups I visit to explain our role. As I visit groups I am encouraging them to join us. I also plan to had this out at meetings with the various statutory groups.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Common issues</B></div> <bR> <div> The main issues that are common to most of the groups I have met so far are</div> <div> shortage of leaders</div> <div> access to good cheap (or free) training</div> <div> CRB checks</div> <div> funding</div> <bR> <div> <B>OTHER INFORMATION</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>South East Regional Event</B></div> <bR> <div> I have been involved with the early stages of planning for a regional meeting planned for Guildford on 17th September. The meeting is to capture the work done so far between voluntary sector and Connexions. It will celebrate the good work done, identify good practice for work between Connexions and voluntary sector, explore issues which impede the involvement of the sector and make proposals for the support of the sector within the South East. The meeting is being planned and led by the CVYSs around the South East. Speakers will include Jane Harwood (CSNU) and Susanne Rauprich (NCVYS). It is aimed at interested parties from the local CVYSs. There will be a variety of workshops. More details will follow.</div> <bR> <div> <B>PAYP</B></div> <bR> <div> Most of you will have received an email from me last week with details of PAYP expression of interest. A number expressed concern about the lateness of the stage in which this information was made available. I discussed the situation with Sue Baker at Connexions. The basic situation is that the shortage of time led to a less than satisfactory dissemination of the details. Having established links with the Connexions team, I hope communications will be better in the future. Sue gave me the following figures for the current situation with regard to Reading.</div> <div> £20,000 has been held back for the next two weeks (I am ASSUMING that this is a deadline of 16th July with the meeting on the 17th). There is an inclination to direct a significant amount of this money to the voluntary sector, if possible. Obviously at this stage they need to fill the gaps in the provision they have already accepted. Clear gaps are work in East Reading, in particular anything engaging with the Asian Community and anything in social inclusion with an integration emphasis.</div> <bR> <div> Over and above this there is £25,000 for additional bids up to mid august</div> <bR> <div> There is a little further money as contingency and to facilitate access for some young people e.g. for things like buying football boots for a young person who would be otherwise unable to participate and a final pot to allow young people to bid for funding for opportunities they have themselves identified.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Connexions</B></div> <bR> <div> There have been some changes at Connexions which will affect our communications with them. Sue Baker is now PAYP manager and Gina Carpenter has taken responsibility for just Reading.</div> <div> Anyone wishing to know more about Connexions can attend a free one day course. The next is being held on 7th October.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Training issues</B></div> <div>  </div> <div> This comes up regularly in conversations with groups. There are a number of sources of reasonably priced or even free training. RBC's training officer, Gill Brookman, runs training for youth workers which is available free of charge. This includes NVQ training in youth work. </div> <bR> <div> Rhiannon has details of training in sexual health issues.</div> <bR> <div> The most common request is for First Aid training. This is usually best sourced through BACYP. It is a good example of an area where we could team together to run courses. There is a course being run 19th July in Reading (although not through BACYP) for voluntary groups. It is a full 8 hr appointed persons certificate. The cost is between £20 and £25 and places are available for anyone who is interested - see me!</div> <bR> <div> If you have particular needs outside this please let me know and we'll find out how to get it for you.</div> <bR> <div> <B>CRB</B></div> <bR> <div> While this is not something that RCVYS can offer, we will try to keep you posted with details of how you can get these done. There is a group in Bracknell called Disclosure Assist who will process applications for you. They charge a small fee over and above the fee from CRB. The CRB fees have themselves just gone up (effective from 1st July) . They are still free to volunteers but paid employees, even for a voluntary organisation, must pay the full fee of £24 for a standard disclosure or £29 for a full disclosure.</div> <bR> <div> <B><U>Plans for the </U></B><B><U>future</U></B></div> <bR> <div> <B>Workshops</B></div> <bR> <div> The government announced last year, the preparation of a Green Paper to identify radical options for improving services for children and young people. It will consider measures to reduce the levels of educational underachievement, offending, anti-social behaviour, teenage pregnancy, and ill health.</div> <bR> <div> The Green Paper will focus on the identification, referral and tracking of children at risk and the provision of mainstream and specialist services to them. It will look at an overhaul of existing arrangements, and at services working with children and young people including social services, youth justice, as well as the role of schools, families and communities.</div> <bR> <div> The whole area of the voluntary sector involvement in this is complicated and so we are looking at planning workshops following the release of the paper (now scheduled for September?) to discuss the issues raised and to allow us to make an informed response to the proposals. </div> <bR> <div> <B>Communication</B></div> <bR> <div> One of the areas I need to work on is the dissemination of information to you all. Coming from a computer based background I am keen to set up as much electronically as possible. I plan to get a regular email newsletter with the relevant details on. Initially this will contain all the updates on what's going on. In the longer term I plan to move to a web site. I would then email summary of the information to everyone and put the details on the website. I'm keen that we should get feedback from as many places as possible so reps on various committees could supply information which I could pass on through this route. Obviously, this electronic form will not suit everyone and I will happily send out paper copies to anyone without web access.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Shared resources</B></div> <bR> <div> I'd love to see us sharing what we have. This could be physical resources like equipment or perhaps expertise. The other possibility is events that would include a number of us. Training courses are another obvious shared need. I would love to see us working together on these where we can so if you're running a course and have spaces or you're looking for spaces then let me know and I'll communicate the information to the rest of the membership.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Key tasks</B></div> <div> - visits to youth and children's voluntary groups to offer to support to those involved</div> <div> - continue to develop relationships with key individuals in the statutory sector</div> <div> - develop and produce a directory of youth and children's voluntary groups</div> <div> - develop a strategy for support of these groups</div> <div> - identify sources of funding relevant to the various groups</div> <div> - work closely with other support agencies like RVA, BCVYS, BACYP</div> <div> - identify gaps in provision and begin to explore how these opportunities can be addressed.</div> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>