Durham Community Action is delighted to be one of the first three organisations nationally to have successfully achieved reaccreditation of the Volunteer Centre Quality Accreditation. This accreditation is awarded to organisations that demonstrate impact in their delivery of volunteer centre services in their local area, focussing and addressing the difference that access to a local volunteer centre makes.

Durham Community Action was able to demonstrate strategically that through the activities of the volunteer centre and its engagement with local networks and decision-makers, there is a positive environment in which volunteering is flourishing.  In developing a range of support and advice around good practice development, organisations from all sectors improve or attain positive consistency in their volunteering programmes. Through our offer of volunteer brokerage to individuals looking to volunteer and organisations looking for volunteers the public and all sectors are well informed about and have access to an effective and efficient service. In developing volunteering opportunities Durham Community Action increases and improves the quantity, quality, and diversity of volunteering locally. In providing a voice for volunteering our volunteer centre service provides increased awareness of the issues impacting on volunteering.

The accreditation is awarded following a rigorous independent assessment process set up by NAVCA, and we are pleased to share this feedback from our Assessor:

“The evidence provided leads me to believe that this is a forward-thinking proactive community-led organisation with influence where needed.”

“DCA’s work has led to both partners and stakeholders understanding the impact of volunteering by the published case studies, their work with colleagues explaining the value of volunteering and the Volunteer Kite Mark for Durham VIOs which demonstrates the organisation’s commitment to best practice in volunteer management. More importantly, their place in partnerships and forums all over County Durham means the voice of the third sector is heard where it counts.”

Our “County Durham Volunteer Centre” branding will be coming soon.

If our achievement has sparked an interest in volunteering quality standards in your organisation, then please do get in touch with us to find out more about County Durham Volunteer Kitemark here

Did you know…we can offer support and advice around governance structures and support?

Here at Durham Community Action (DCA), we regularly get enquiries about governance support from a wide range of community organisations. Enquiries often focus on good practice, legal requirements to ensure compliance and offering a safe, effective and sustainable service.

Effective governance is having an efficient system and process in place to be able to provide direction for the organisation in an effective way while being accountable for its aims and objectives.

An organisation is governed by a core group of people, for example trustees, directors, or management committee, who are responsible for all elements of the organisation, including the following:

Strategy

• Setting a clear vision on what the organisation is trying to achieve and how it will do this.
• Demonstrating leadership and collaborative work in developing the organisation's strategy, mission, and vision to guide the organisation forward.
• Developing and delivering an action plan to ensure progress is made against their strategy.

Delivery

• Decision making on the organisation’s finances and resources in order to achieve their aims and objectives.
• Considering potential risks to the organisation with effective planning to minimise the potential of external threats.
• Dealing with potential issues that arise and ensuring they are compliant and effective in dealing with such issues.
• Learning and developing as an organisation that consistently reviews and develops its governance.

Compliance

• Ensuring the organisation is compliant with all aspects of the law, including its governing document, policies and procedures.
• Ensuring that all reporting and monitoring is submitted on time to the appropriate regulators or funders.

Accountability

• Ensuring that all reporting is submitted to organisations to demonstrate the work the organisation is carrying out in line with its governance.

Whilst good governance is essentially the board's responsibility, it should be demonstrated throughout an organisation and everyone, including trustees/ committee members, staff, volunteers and stakeholders, should support good governance and follow relevant policies and procedures.

For more information on good governance, please click the following links:

https://www.ncvo.org.uk/help-and-guidance/governance/responsibilities-for-boards/the-legal-duties-of-trustees/#/

Charity Governance Code

At DCA, we understand how difficult it can be with such a wide and diverse topic such as governance. DCA offer a wide range of support in all areas of governance and offer a wide range of training, which includes delivering training to trustees and committee members so that they understand their roles and responsibilities. Free training workshops can be found on our website here

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to email us

Durham County Council:

• Review of Customer Access Points (open until 5th March)
• Review of the Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) for dog ownership 2023 (open until 13th March)
• Review of traffic-sensitive streets (open until 24th February)
  
• Development of a new play area at Hardwick Park (open until 26th February)
• Have your say on the North East Devolution Deal (open until 23rd March)
• Have your say on the draft Homelessness and Rough Sleeper Strategy (open until 5th March)

Transport North East:

• North East Active Travel Strategy Public Consultation (open until 5th March)
  

• Call for Projects - The UK Shared Prosperity Fund
• Recycle 2 Work Scheme gets County Durham residents into work
• Charity Commission - 5 minute guides on being a charity trustee
• Complete the National Youth Sector Census for all youth sector provision across England 
  

If you require this email in a different format, would like to contribute towards future issues or provide any feedback about Durham Community News please contact helen.brown@durhamcommunityaction.org.uk (Mondays to Thursdays).