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The Power of Small - What next for SCC?

The Power of Small - What next for SCC?

Today, following SCC's final event 'The Power of Small', the organisation has published its final evaluation report ahead of our closure on the 31st March: Small And Mighty - A report on the Life and Legacy of the Small Charities Coalition. The report follows a 2 month evaluation and legacy process supported by Iona Lawrence, an independent consultant and co-founder of Stewarding Loss, a project dedicated to better endings in civil society, which saw 500+ people and organisations engaged in discussions around the impact of the charity. In the evaluation, members and non-members alike were most clear and most united around the gap SCC will leave in terms of speaking up and advocating for small charities. Without SCC, there will be no dedicated and trusted small charity support organisation with a seat at key decision making tables to influence funding and policy for small charities. The report is calling for a mindset shift among funders, regulators and government towards viewing infrastructure as a ‘public good’ and dedicating long-term investment to ensure a healthy charity infrastructure with the ability to support charities and communities across the country. There's good news however for the thousands of charities and volunteers who continue to rely on the SCC Helpdesk for advice, guidance and support. The HelpDesk will continue to operate and will be run under a new partnership between NCVO and the FSI. This news comes after SCC trustees conducted a competitive expression of interest process which saw 6 organisations put their case forward for running the HelpDesk after SCC's closure. As part of the agreement, SCC will transfer a number of its services and assets to the new FSI and NCVO partnership, including: The Small Charities HelpDesk and associated services Hosting and maintenance of www.charitysetup.org.uk Maintenance of a resource hub for small charities Data from the SCC HelpDesk which will be used to influence policy and funding opportunities for small charities SCC’s Charity Advice and Mentoring Manager, Amy Walton, will be joining the existing practical support team at NCVO to facilitate a smooth transfer of services and to guarantee continuity of support and the warm tone and approach synonymous with SCC’s HelpDesk for small charities. Sarah Vibert, CEO of NCVO, commented on the partnership and transfer of services: “I know from running a small charity just how valuable the support provided by the Small Charities Coalition has been for smaller voluntary organisations, which make up the majority of our sector. I am delighted that alongside colleagues at the Foundation for Social Improvement and with the insight of a new small charities advisory group, NCVO will play a part in securing the legacy of the Small Charities Coalition. Together we will build on this legacy to ensure there is a distinct and comprehensive support offer for small charities, which evolves to meet changing needs. I am looking forward to welcoming Amy Walton to our team and learning from her vast experience and knowledge supporting small charities. I’d like to recognise and thank the trustees of the Small Charities Coalition for their dedication to ensuring continuity of support for their members and all the work they have done to facilitate a smooth transfer of services.” Stuart Thomason, CEO of the FSI, said: “The Small Charities Coalition have played a critical role advocating for the needs of small charities and as a small charity ourselves, the FSI will work tirelessly to protect their legacy. The FSI have provided a free advice hub for small charities for over 15 years, and we are pleased to expand this offer alongside NCVO. We will continue to offer free and heavily subsided capacity building support for people building impactful organisations. We are also committed to developing new learning networks to support small charities advocating for change in key policy areas and we are looking forward to working with NCVO to amplify these positive messages of social action through Small Charity Week and other tailored events.” Headlines from the final evaluation report include: SCC’s founding belief remains as true today as the day it started: that small charities, in all their many shapes and sizes, need a dedicated place to go for support and a voice to represent them in corridors of power. At its most influential moments, SCC operated as an ambitious but humble servant leader by working in a catalytic way to support, connect, energise and speak up for small charities. How SCC offered support was the most significant draw for members. Members consistently cited that it was the welcoming, open, inclusive and non-judgemental approach embedded across SCC’s services and the warm relationships it had with its members that was the most significant reason that members turned to and relied upon SCC time and again. Meanwhile other aspects of SCC’s support will leave substantial gaps for small charities: the HelpDesk and the Charity Set Up Tool in particular were unique to the organisation and aren’t fully replicated anywhere else in the infrastructure sector. SCC’s trustees have appointed NCVO and the Foundation for Social Improvement (FSI) as the legacy partners for SCC’s HelpDesk following a competitive expression of interest application process. It is expected that this will be welcome news to the hundreds of small charities who relied on the SCC HelpDesk. There are no easy answers for how to remedy the very real fundraising challenges SCC faced in any future small charity infrastructure efforts. Ultimately a mindset shift is required whereby funders, the regulator and the Government view infrastructure as a ‘public good’ and therefore dedicate long-term investment to it in order to deliver a healthy, diverse and thriving small charity sector as a foundational part of a dynamic civil society. A small charity itself, SCC was consistently cited in the evaluation survey and interviews undertaken for this report as having ‘punched above its weight’. But in the end, this is an organisation that was itself overcome with the very same challenges that small charities are facing up and down the country. Going forward for all those who work with, fund and support small charities, the report urges you to embrace these four principles: If you support or fund small charities, say so upfront Take time to understand and tune into the reality of being a small charity Build trust by creating space for relationships Think small, advocate ambitiously The full report, Small AND Mighty: The Life and Legacy of the Small Charities Coalition, can be read here. Joyce Fraser, Chair at the Small Charities Coalition, commented: “The last few months have been a time of intense activity with an outcome we could have barely imagined when we announced SCC’s closure in December 2021. The board would like to thank all those in the infrastructure eco-system and funders for standing alongside us and engaging with us in securing a legacy for small charities. Today’s announcement would not have been possible without them. We look forward to seeing the HelpDesk continue its invaluable work through the new partnership of FSI and NCVO. Critical in this handover is not just the continuation of a distinct small charities service, but continuation of its personalised approach and tone, cutting the jargon and demystifying the difficult. Our thanks go to Iona Lawrence for leading the evaluation project and to the very many who contributed to it. We are indebted to you all for your contributions. The advent of the advisory group, alongside the HelpDesk move, will ensure the “small charity voice” can be leveraged rather than lost. It provides a great space and opportunity for improved all round support and representation of small charities across the infrastructure eco-system. Our final evaluation report provides much of the agenda for our new HelpDesk hosts and the advisory panel. Finally a huge thank you to all our members and small charities for being the driving force behind our work over the last 14 years; and a particular thank you to every single member of the SCC team over that time, staff, volunteers, mentors, trainers, advisors and trustees. The work and the legacy would not have been possible without you.” Duncan Shrubsole, Director of Policy, Communications and Research at Lloyds Bank Foundation, said: “Small charities make up the majority of the charity sector, are the lifeblood of our communities and are on the frontline of providing support and services to so many, never more so than during Covid. The Small Charities Coalition worked hard to ensure small charities were understood, supported and represented but with SCC having to wind-up it was vital to ensure this wasn’t lost. So, at Lloyds Bank Foundation, having supported SCC for a number of years, we were delighted to work with their trustees, staff, other funders and infrastructure to help support the Helpdesk to move to a new host with this exciting partnership between NCVO and FSI. This will ensure small charities continue to get vital advice in a way that is tailored for them and that the insight gained can be used and shared to ensure that the role, concerns and value of small charities is heard loudly in the corridors of power.” Iona Lawrence said, “The decision to close is never an easy one and the undertaking of an orderly closure is equally as tough. Yet despite how tough it can be to undertake a ‘good’ ending for an organisation, SCC is testament to the belief that there are always stories to be celebrated, legacies to be proud of, work that will continue even if the four walls of an organisation no longer stand and learnings that peer organisations and communities must carry forward in their pursuit of change.” Further announcements will be made via SCC’s website and mailing list over the coming weeks. Anyone with queries should contact the SCC Board of Trustees on board@smallcharities.org.uk .

SCC HelpDesk Update

SCC HelpDesk Update

Following the decision by the Board of the Small Charities Coalition to close the charity, funders, infrastructure organisations and specialist support charities have worked together to find a new home for the SCC HelpDesk and associated services. We are pleased to invite all suitably experienced organisations to submit an expression of interest by 12pm on the 2nd March 2022. More information and the form can be found via this link: https://www.tfaforms.com/4963961 This expression of interest represents a single application for suitably experienced infrastructure organisations to provide a service specification for the Small Charities Coalition HelpDesk and associated services. This process seeks to find a new host for the HelpDesk but is intended as a catalyst for wider joint working with other infrastructure organisations around better support, understanding and representation of small charities. For further information please email board@smallcharities.org.uk

Update on the Small Charities Coalition

Update on the Small Charities Coalition

The Board of the Small Charities Coalition wish to convey their heartfelt thanks for the support that the charity has received since it was reported that we will close. We recognise that SCC has occupied an important space in supporting small and newly formed charitable organisations and that our closure will leave a significant gap in the provision of that support. To this end, we have been working with key partners including infrastructure organisations, specialist support organisations, funders and others to establish how the gaps can be filled after our closure. We are in conversation to transfer the HelpDesk to a new home ensuring its sustainability but whilst also maintaining its distinctness and we will soon be inviting potential host organisations to submit an expression of interest. The link to this will be posted on our website and social media pages.
Beyond the initial plan to preserve the HelpDesk for small charities, there is a wider conversation about developing a collaborative approach which will empower small charities and enable them to access resources, which to date, they have struggled to secure. This will take engagement and a better understanding of the small charity sector and its needs. Currently we are extrapolating and interpreting the data from the HelpDesk and this will be shared with the sector. More broadly we are pleased to be undertaking a planned and constructive closure. A crucial part of this is our work with Iona Lawrence who is supporting us to compile our final evaluation report which will share our learning and understanding of the needs of small charities. This will be published publicly in March 2022. Thank you to all who have contributed to this piece, as the response has been overwhelming. We want to thank all those individuals and agencies who have been in touch to offer support both practical and emotional and we will respond, but as we are sure you will appreciate, this is a very busy time. Our planned closure date is the 31st March 2022. We will continue delivering support through the HelpDesk until a new home is found and the transfer is complete. For further information: Small Charities Coalition board@smallcharities.org.uk

Small Charities Coalition to Close

Small Charities Coalition to Close

The trustees of SCC regret to announce their decision to formally wind up the charity. This has been an extremely difficult decision. It has been taken after the Trustees and SCC’s team have exhausted all possibilities to secure funding that would have put the charity on a secure, sustainable financial footing to continue its work in support of thousands of small charities. Our aim is to close the charity responsibly in Spring 2022 and secure ongoing support for small charities through other channels and organisations. SCC started life back in 2008, a time when there were limited resources and support available for small charities. The founders wanted SCC to be the “go to” place, enabling small charities to start up and run themselves well. Since then, enormous progress has been made, particularly during the past two years when smaller charities have played a critical role in supporting communities during COVID-19. We were fortunate to secure additional COVID-related funding in the year to 31st March 2021, which made it possible for us to enhance our support to members at a crucial time. But securing the financial sustainability of SCC has been a perennial issue. Like many charities, large and small, we faced our own challenges around finance and fundraising. Sourcing funding absorbs significant time which, with a small staff, made it difficult to meet our commitment to serve small charities. COVID has shown that there was a very real need for our services, including our HelpDesk, training and events, newsletter and mentoring programme. Our dedicated staff team has worked extremely hard during the pandemic to get support out to small charities dealing with all the challenges this crisis has created for them and the causes they support, so we want to say a huge thank you to them. We know that the decision to close SCC affects our current staff of three more than anyone else and we will be doing absolutely everything we can to support them in the coming months. We are immensely proud of what everyone who has been involved with SCC has achieved since our inception in 2008, from our funders through to past staff, trustees, members, trainers, mentors, partners and supporters. We thank our funders, who made it possible for the team to carry out this work, and who prioritised providing support services for small charities. We acknowledge how difficult this news may be to receive. SCC would not have existed without our members and we have been so proud to fly the flag for small charities for the past 13 years. The pandemic has shown us all how critical small charities are to the communities they serve. We hope our legacy is that the needs of small charities are permanently at the top of the sector’s agenda. We will give updates as we go through the process of closing the organisation. For further information: Small Charities Coalition board@smallcharities.org.uk

Head of Fundraising - St Michael's Fellowship

Head of Fundraising - St Michael's Fellowship

The Role We are looking for a new Head of Fundraising. Reporting directly to the CEO and line managing one member of staff your remit will be to devise and implement a fundraising strategy and to secure both restricted and unrestricted funds from new and existing sources of incomes. St Michael's exists to give children and their families the best chance in life whatever the circumstances of their birth. We are a local charity with national influences. Person Specification Your experience is likely to include trusts and foundations but if you also have experience in major donors, events, statutory, lottery or corporate fundraising, we would also be pleased to hear from you as we are seeking to diversify our income sources. How to Apply Further details about the role and how to apply: https://www.charityjob.co.uk/jobs/st-michael-s-fellowship/head-of-fundraising/787632?tsId=2 Closing Date : 9th December 2021 Location: London Hours: Part time, 32 hours per week Salary: £45,000 - £50,000 pro rata http://stmichaelsfellowship.org.uk/jobs/why-work-for-us

Trustee - Solutions Not Sides

Trustee - Solutions Not Sides

The Role As a trustee of SNS, you will effectively be a member of the management team. SNS trustees are appointed for an initial term of three years. Board meetings are held during the evening or weekend online once every other month for two hours, with an annual in-person retreat (COVID permitting). Additional meetings with the Executive Director outside of board meetings may also be required. Person Specification https://solutionsnotsides.co.uk/what-we-do/team How to Apply If you are interested, please send a cover letter/application video and CV to sharon@solutionsnotsides.co.uk outlining why you think you would make a good SNS trustee. Closing Date : 15th December 2021 Location: Remote Hours: 1-3 p/w Salary: Voluntary https://solutionsnotsides.co.uk/what-we-do/about-us

Trustee Treasurer - The Living Room

Trustee Treasurer - The Living Room

The Role Are you a finance professional, looking for an interesting and rewarding challenge? The Living Room is an abstinence based, group therapy addiction recovery service, providing free treatment to Hertfordshire residents through a team of counsellors with lived experience. The role of the Treasurer is to oversee the financial affairs of The Living Room, ensuring its financial viability whilst complying with relevant financial regulations. The Treasurer is not a paid worker, or the bookkeeper and does not hold or maintain the financial records. The day-to-day financial management is delegated to the CEO, the Corporate Services Director or other staff. Person Specification A strong financial background, able to explain financial matters and the financial consequences clearly and succinctly based on sound analysis. Empathy with the types of issues faced by The Living Room clients is also important. The role is voluntary but expenses are reimbursed. Board meetings are held 4 times a year, currently remotely and/or location based in Stevenage or St Albans, with additional Extra-ordinary meetings and Sub Committee meetings up to a maximum of 8 meetings a year. How to Apply Please send CV through to Adrienne Arthurs (CEO) AdrienneA@livingroomherts.org or complete application form https://www.livingroomherts.org/stevenage-vacancies Closing Date : 31st December 2021 Location: Hertfordshire Hours: 1 p/w Salary: Voluntary https://www.livingroomherts.org/Handlers/Download.ashx?IDMF=b5acee4d-7c26-4d32-8831-2cbf20fd5f7b

Senior Coordinator - Jacari

Senior Coordinator - Jacari

The Role We are pleased to be recruiting for a Senior Coordinator to co-lead the charity and manage the running of our Oxford branch. The role is an excellent opportunity for anyone passionate about educational equality and wanting to further their leadership and management experience. Person Specification https://8590af97-b646-4e08-ac40-b36eac36197c.filesusr.com/ugd/be5b5e_7ec6b8f7aca94808b30b27db4e2cd569.pdf How to Apply Please apply by filling out the application form, found at https://www.jacari.org/work Closing Date : 12th December, 11pm Location: Oxford Hours: 30 hours or 37.5 hours Salary: £ 26,000 pro rata if part time

Volunteer Development Manager - InterAct

Volunteer Development Manager - InterAct

The Role We are looking for new Trustees to join our board that are enthusiastic, committed and feel that they can add value to the organisation. We are particularly seeking individuals with experience of working in the private sector. If you are a motivated individual who would like to use your professional or other experience to contribute to and develop a local charity, we would like to hear from you. As a charity Trustee, and member of the Board, you will share collective responsibility for the overall running and strategic direction of the charity, ensuring good governance and prudent financial management. You will be joining an existing group of Trustees with a wide range of professional skills and experience, and supported by a motivated, skilled and hardworking staff team with their own operational expertise, and a passion for changing peoples’ lives. As a member of the Board of Trustees you will have the opportunity to help develop the charity's strategic goals, monitor performance and guide and support the staff team. Your time, knowledge, experience and skills will be invaluable to our continued success and will help us achieve our mission and increase our impact in a challenging financial climate. Person Specification http://www.interact.org.uk/opportunities/volunteering-detail/volunteer-trustees How to Apply If interested please email volunteering@interact.org.uk or call 01245 608333 Closing Date : 29th January 2022 Location: Chelmsford Hours: 4 x Board meetings per annum plus optional involvement in other activity Salary: Voluntary www.interact.org.uk

Senior Program Manager - Shiva Foundation

Senior Program Manager - Shiva Foundation

The Role Shiva Foundation seeks a Senior Program Manager to lead on programmatic priorities: (1) embedding labour rights and modern slavery provisions into policy, (2) shifting corporate practices towards more equitable power distribution, (3) improving statutory agency response to GBV against racially minoritised women and (4) better resourcing racially minoritised communities. The ideal candidate will have experience with program design as well as implementation and will have some knowledge of both modern slavery and GBV in racially minoritised communities. They will also have experience working with a range of stakeholders, from public sector bodies to small to medium businesses. Person Specification https://shivafoundation.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/SeniorProgramManager_JD_2021-1.pdf How to Apply Please apply for this role by filling in this form: https://forms.gle/Lxxn6xPfx6wCSEBj9 Closing Date : 10th December 2021 Location: London, UK Hours: Full time Salary: £40k You can find further details on our website: https://shivafoundation.org.uk/who-we-are/join-us/

Head of Development - Group B Strep Support

Head of Development - Group B Strep Support

The Role This is a new Head of Development (part or full time, flexible home/office working), responsible for securing the income and resources needed to make group B Strep history. A key part of the charity’s management team, this person will be donor-focused, with a personal focus on trusts, foundations, corporate and philanthropic giving. Person Specification Download from https://www.charityjob.co.uk/jobs/group-b-strep-support/head-of-development/786591?tsId=8 or email Jane Plumb, CEO at jane.plumb@gbss.org.uk How to Apply Apply to https://www.charityjob.co.uk/jobs/group-b-strep-support/head-of-development/786591?tsId=8 or email Jane Plumb, CEO at jane.plumb@gbss.org.uk with your CV and supporting statement, outlining your interest and suitability for this role. Closing Date : 10th December 2021 Location: mostly a working from home role, with the requirement for some travel, including to the charity’s Haywards Heath office and to meet donors and potential donors. Hours: 3 days to full time Salary: £40-45k per annum FTE

Director (Trustee) - East Brighton Trust

Director (Trustee) - East Brighton Trust

The Role We are currently looking for new directors to help us steer the organisation through the next stages of our strategy and beyond, shaping the future for people in the area. Person Specification We are particularly looking for board members with experience in the property world. https://www.eastbrightontrust.co.uk/become-a-director-of-east-brighton-trust.html How to Apply To express an interest, please send an email to info@eastbrightontrust.co.uk with up to 300 words by way of introduction. Tell us a bit about yourself and why you would be interested in becoming a director of East Brighton Trust. We will then arrange an informal discussion with you. If you know of someone who is looking for a new challenge and wants to make a difference, please let them know we’re seeking directors and direct them to our website. Closing Date : 31st January 2022 Location: Brighton Hours: 2 p/w Salary: Voluntary https://www.eastbrightontrust.co.uk/become-a-director-of-east-brighton-trust.html

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