That single issue thing …
This is the latest hare to have been set running by Government and the Commission on Integration and Cohesion. It’s a policy which encourages funders to cut money to groups working with marginalised peoples, particularly those from secular black and minority ethnic groups such as Southall Black Sisters – while at the same time encouraging faith group activities. The policy is still under consultation but already being enthusiastically implemented. And all under the policy platform of “social inclusion”. This is what Chris Walsh, a Coalition supporter, from Wise Owls has to say about it…..
Funding criteria get narrower and narrower
Bob Widdowson describes the slow drip drip of what is being lost and
what is taking its place in “a small advice service in a northern town.
Been around for 20 years. Well used, three staff, run down premises and
not much in the way of technology. Only such service for miles around.
Lottery funding runs out and no replacement funding there. Local
council, the main funder for many years, offers a three year funding
deal, but at a reduced amount and with no inflation. Welcome to the
world of fundraising…..
Read more
A slave to State interests….
We bumped into a community researcher, a local resident, who had
been busy talking to fellow tenants about their concerns and what they
needed on the Estate. She had been doing this with the support of a
local voluntary group. She was worried and didn’t know what to do. She
had been asked by the local CVS whether or not this work was part of
the Local Area Agreement. If it was not, she was given the impression
that she’d be in deep trouble. What should she do? The voluntary group
decided that now was a good time to have a meeting about the state of
the voluntary sector, the local politics and how to manage the
co-option of their local CVS towards State interests and away from
local autonomy.
Now you see it, now you don’t…..
And what about the story of the local CAB who found out that they
had to “tender” for their own services, of the other local advice
services given a day to tender for the CAB money, and of the Council
who said that this was challenging but wouldn’t apologise for it.
If it works, break it……
Then there’s the tale about the innovative initiative which
supported local people to assist their communities to access health
services. It was done with such success that it was lauded by the local
Primary Care Trust and elsewhere, and who then asked for advice on how
to replicate this. And who then withdrew the money and allocated it to
those with no experience in doing the work.
Coming in your direction soon……?
A friend sent me this and it is apparently being added (or proposed
to be added) to contracts for all staff at a University. It is so
bizarre that it could be a hoax, but it’s not.
1 I have clear performance goals that encompass task delivery and demonstration of my competences.