9 July 2008
Volunteering England has published a statement on the issue of volunteer mileage expenses, which has recently become particularly topical within the volunteering sector in the context of fuel prices.
23 June
Sport England recently announced its Strategy for 2008-2011, which will involve closer working with national governing bodies in sport, as well as local authorities.
12 June
The Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills recently launched a consultation on Informal Adult Learning - Shaping the Way Ahead.
10 June
The Morgan Inquiry has published its independent report into young adult volunteering in the UK. A number of volunteer-involving organisations and other bodies gave evidence to the Inquiry and it has published a series of recommendations on encouraging more young people to volunteer.
6 June
The Legacy Action Plan for the 2012 London Olympic and Paralympic Games has been published. The main themes of the plan address sport, regeneration, young people, sustainability and culture.
5 June 2008
The Department of Health recently launched a consultation on The Future Regulation of Health and Adult Social Care in England.
4 June 2008
The Office of the Third Sector has published new guidance on Criminal Record Bureau checks and volunteering.
3 June 2008
The Department of Health is developing a strategy for Volunteering in Health and Social Care. Volunteering England is pleased that the developments recognise the contribution of volunteers to the NHS and wider public services.
14 May 2008
Volunteering England has responsed to the Border and Immigration Agency consultation on "The path to citizenship: next steps in reforming the immigration system". Amongst other issues it considers encouraging people applying for British citizenship or permanent residence to undertake 'active citizenship' as a method of speeding up their application by two years.
9 May 2008
The European Parliament has recently launched a Written Declaration calling for a Year of Volunteering in 2011 which will help to promote volunteering and the invaluable contribution made by more than 100 million volunteers across Europe.
- Read a joint letter from Volunteering England, CSV and Volunteurope encouraging all Members of the European Parliament to sign the Declaration before the deadline of 9 July 2008 (PDF)
- Read the text of the Written Declaration (PDF)
11 April 2008
10 April 2008
28 March 2008
19 March 2008
7 March 2008
15 February 2008
Volunteering England has responded to the recent multi-agency consultation on the proposed Comprehensive Area Assessment for local government
12 February 2008
- Volunteering England has responded to the consultation on the Ministry of Justice’s “Third Sector Strategy – Improving policies and securing better public services through effective partnerships”.
- Read what we have said here - Volunteering England has responded to the consultation by The National Offender Management Service (NOMS), “Securing effective partnerships to reduce re-offending and protect the public 2008 – 2011.
- Read what we have said here
8 February 2008
6 February 2008
20 September 2007
3 September 2007
1 August 2007
26 July 2007
21 March 2007
13 March 2007
Volunteering England responds to Olympic Funding Announcement
Volunteering England welcomes today’s statement by Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell MP that funding for voluntary and community organisations will not be sacrificed to meet the ever increasing cost of the Olympic Games. Although volunteers give their time and effort free of charge, providing support, management and training is by no means cost-free, and the support of National Lottery good cause funds is essential for many smaller groups to survive. However, we would seek reassurance that community groups receiving funding from arts, sports and heritage Lottery distributors will not be affected by the budgetary diversion, and further clarification as to how the DCMS will ensure this commitment will be honoured.
February 2007
January 2007
December 2006
October 2006
Volunteering England's submission to the Treasury Third Sector Review
Below is the text of Volunteering England's submission to the Treasury Third Sector Review (with an appendix), written to influence Minister's decisions about next year's Comprehensive Spending Review. This has now been sent to the Treasury as well as to relevant Ministers. It is an ambitious proposal which potentially has huge implications for the future of the volunteering infrastructure at local level.
It should be remembered that this is a document addressed to the Treasury, not to the volunteering sector. It sets out to get HMT's attention and - hopefully - approval and, to this end, it is short, sharp and to the point . Obviously, the other side of any decisions that result, we shall be engaging stakeholders in a very thorough communication and consultation exercise on every aspect of the implications.
The proposal has strong support from VE's Volunteer Centre Advisory Group and, while its contents may surprise some stakeholders, it does not come completely out of the blue. It is in line with the commitment in the Compact Volunteering Code of Good Practice; the direction of travel is clearly spelt out in both Building on Success and the relevant parts of the original ChangeUp strategy document; it is the focus of the current ChangeUp-funded work to develop a costed model for the local volunteering infrastructure; and it has been well trailed at regional meetings over the last couple of years, including EVDC, as well as in recent email updates to members.
We look forward to further discussions about the proposal over the coming months.
Christopher Spence CBE
Chief Executive
Volunteering England
8 August 2006
July 2006
Reprieve for village halls and other community venues
Volunteering England welcomes the Government‘s proposals, announced in a statement by Shaun Woodward, Minister of State for Culture, Media and Sport, which aim to overcome difficulties in the way the Licensing Act 2003 applied to village and community halls and in particular the increased burden this place on volunteers at events and on management committees. The proposal is to remove the requirement for the appointment of a Designated Premises Supervisor (DPS) as part of the alcohol licensing requirements for village and other similar community halls.
The decision follows a successful campaign by stakeholders including ACRE - Action with Communities in Rural England and The National Operatic and Dramatic Association (NODA) as well as Volunteering England.
This will alleviate the burden placed on volunteer village hall management committees in appointing a Designated Premises Supervisor, who has to undertake a recognised training course to become a Personal Licence Holder. This resulted in many halls seeking to use the alternative of Temporary Events Notices to allow alcohol sales at individual events. However, only 12 such notices were allowable each year and there were concerns that the new Licensing Act would restrict activity within village and community halls.
The Government’s proposal offers a new system for ensuring that activities continue to operate without the need for the same level of controls as clubs and pubs in urban areas. This relieves a significant burden from those hall management committees who are struggling to comply with the Act.
June 2006
Commission on the Future of Volunteering
Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Bill
Volunteering England and the National Strategic Partnership for Volunteering in Health and Social Care is pleased to respond to the DfES/DH consultation about the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Bill currently before Parliament. This will provide a Vetting and Barring Scheme to ensure there is a register of people who are fit to work (or volunteer) with children and vulnerable adults.
Volunteering for All
The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister consultation on Local Strategic Partnerships: Shaping their future
MPs urged to support disabled volunteers
Submission by Volunteering England to the Home Affairs Committee
In November the Home Affairs Committee announced that it will hold an inquiry into Immigration Control. The inquiry has the following terms of reference:
The Committee will inquire into the policy and practice of immigration control, examining the entry clearance (visa) system, the granting or refusing of further leave in the UK and the enforcement of immigration control. The inquiry will consider the degree to which the stated aims of the Immigration and Nationality Directorate and UK visas are being met; the extent of implementation of recommendations of recent reports and inquiries; and lessons to be learnt from the operation of the current system that might inform the implementation of the new Government policy. The Committee is seeking written submissions before it takes oral evidence on this inquiry. The closing date is Friday 2 December 2005.
This is of interest to Volunteering England because the opportunity to volunteer is denied to many visa nationals and other people requiring entry clearance to the UK.
The Department for Education and Skills Youth Matters Consultation
Rural and Social Community Programme
Active Community Unit Strategic Funding Review
Volunteering England's response to this consultation
Volunteering and Charitable Giving Unit Strategic Funding Review
Compact Plus Consultation
Extended Schools: Access to opportunities and services for all
General Election Manifesto
'Compact Code of Good Practice on Volunteering'
- Volunteering England's response to the consultation Document Compact Code of Good Practice on Volunteering
