By Martin Sime
Organisations across the third sector are fighting the seemingly impossible battle of continuing to meet growing demand for high-quality services despite substantial funding cuts.
With 75 per cent of third sector organisations expecting demand for their services to continue to grow over the next year, a better deal from the public sector which delivers on the high level of rhetorical support for a greater third sector role in delivering public services is now long overdue.
We need to see longer term funding agreements for the third sector from the Scottish Government and public sector funders.
Of course, this would significantly improve the stability of the sector and really help move towards utilising the sector’s expertise in preventing social problems, but more local support for the third sector is also extremely valuable as the Supporting Voluntary Action programme has proven.
In the five years since the £8m Big Lottery-funded programme was launched in 2007, hundreds of third sector organisations and the communities they serve have benefited.
Delivered by SCVO, the landmark investment from the Big Lottery Fund Scotland for the project was matched by bold ambition to produce lasting improvements across the third sector by building on the effectiveness and capacity of local support for the third sector.
The ultimate aim of the programme is to make it easier for Scotland's charities to dedicate their time and skills to doing what they do best: making life better for people in need. It's about helping groups or individuals turn their ideas into action by giving them more consistent, high-quality support.
The programme is making a tangible difference to people across Scotland by increasing the capacity of local support. For example when Angus Riding for the Disabled needed to recruit more volunteers to meet demand for its services it got support from Volunteer Centre Angus to gain a SVA Volunteer Friendly award. The award, which sets clear standards for charities in how to train and manage volunteers, is helping the organisation to recruit more volunteers, so it can offer places to riders on its waiting list.
Charities across the length and breadth of Scotland now also have access to advice which ensures they comply with charity law and regulation. Thanks to the SVA programme so far 151 people have received training on giving specialised legal advice to small voluntary groups. The cascade effect of each of these people now being equipped to share their knowledge with hundreds of other people in their communities is remarkably powerful.
The SVA programme has supported hundreds of charities working to make life better for vulnerable people throughout Scotland. Voluntary Action North Lanarkshire (VANL) received SVA funding to run a pilot scheme to give the sector a stronger voice at all levels of policy decision-making. Now voluntary organisations meet three times a year to discuss issues, concerns and good practice.
The programme is also helping third sector organisations improve their knowledge of different business models, enabling them to promote enterprise in their local areas. Voluntary Action Shetland used training and resources provided by SVA to help people in the area create businesses that tackle social problems and provide jobs for vulnerable people.
Ambitious programmes like SVA are helping the third sector and communities to reap the rewards of new ways of working as they navigate the toughest funding climate in decades.
Martin Sime is director of the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations, and writes a monthly column for The Caledonian Mercury.
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