Blog
Mike Wild
"Curiously enough, the only thing that went through the mind of the bowl of petunias as it fell was “Oh no, not again”.
Many people have speculated that if we knew exactly why the bowl of petunias had thought that we would know a lot more about the nature of the Universe than we do now."
Douglas Adams, The Hitch-Hiker’s Guide to the Galaxy
The Minister for Civil Society has launched a ‘…
People/communities experiencing racial inequalities, Children and Families, Commissioning , Community Engagement, Crime and Disorder, Environment, Equalities, Faith, Health and Wellbeing, Homelessness, Learning, Skills and Employment, LGBTQIA+, Mental Health, Older People, Physical Disability, Policy and Influence, Social enterprise, Transgender, VCM, Volunteering, Young People, Other
claire.tomkinson
So I’ve got a question that I’m struggling with at the moment. It’s attracting some mixed views in the office, so let’s put it out there for a wider debate.
Why is it so often the case that the public sector’s answer to working with the voluntary, community and social enterprise sector is to create a job and additional resources within the public sector?
Now don’t get me wrong, I totally agree…
Nigel Rose
This blog is going to seem really ungrateful but I know for sure I am not alone in this view.
I am a bit fed up of seeing another fund that gives out tiny grants.
I’ve just had a look at the Balfour Beatty, Laing O’Rourke and Sir Robert McAlpine Construction Fund which is £20,000 in all, and is giving out “small” grants of £500 and “large” grants of £2,000. £2,000 is not a large grant, it’s a…
guest.blogger
As part of Student Volunteering Week 2018, Volunteer Centre Manchester is excited to share some guest blogs from people who undertake student volunteering and those who manage and support said activity. Here's the first from the University of Manchester:
Celebrating Student Volunteering Week at The University of Manchester
19 – 25 February 2018 sees the return of Student Volunteering Week – a…
claire.tomkinson
So as usual, I’ve found myself frantically involved in a Twitter debate and am struggling to coordinate a response within the strict character limit, so this is the result…
Just to be clear, this is an updated version of a blog that I wrote a couple of years ago (hence the “Part Two”) but the thoughts are still relevant, and I have some stuff to add.
A couple of years ago I was running an…
michelle.foster
Our latest data sets on our work with voluntary, community and social enterprise organisations and volunteers is now available on our website here: www.manchestercommunitycentral.org/policy-and-influence/open-data
Open Data Manchester has been leading the way in open data practice in Manchester since 2010. It was set up as an advocacy group to encourage and share open data practice between public…
Nigel Rose
Earlier today I read part of a new report by the King's Fund called ‘Re-imagining Community Services’. It analyses the progress made toward creating new models of community services and summarises some of the key principles that should guide the development. It’s illustrated by a number of case studies (some rather less convincing than others – Wigan as an exemplar of working with local assets –…
Nigel Rose
The collapse of Carillion is just the latest in a long line of failures by private companies to carry out public services in an effective and cost effective manner. Does anybody really believe, anymore, that privatising the railways or electricity or water, was a good idea?
This failure casts yet more doubt on the idea of commissioning in health and social care. Circle simply gave back a contract…
aneeqa.javed
Happy new year everyone!
I hope you all had a lovely festive break and are ready to take on 2018…
2018 is a big year for all things marketing and communications, as GDPR is set to come into place on 25th May. It might be worth getting yourself onto our website to have a look at how the new legislation will affect your organisation, you may even find the odd training course we’re running…
Mike Wild
I’m writing this in the final days of 2017 and a list of things which will affect charities, community groups, voluntary organisations and social enterprises even just within Manchester is something you can never actually finish writing (note to self: write more blogs this year) but here are the things which are swishing around in my head as things to think about for 2018.
Starting with a few…
Nigel Rose
Every year I do a humorous update on some of the policy issues and trends over the year. (2016, 2015). Given the general level of bleakness (read this if you feeling particularly strong) it seems only reasonable to try a lift the mood a fraction, whilst having a gentle dig at some of the frantic absurdity that surrounds us.
Elusive GrowthIt is now generally acknowledged that the economy is broken…
michelle.foster
Our latest data sets on our work with voluntary, community and social enterprise organisations and volunteers is now available on our website here: www.manchestercommunitycentral.org/policy-and-influence/open-data
Charity think tank NPC has published a practical guide outlining the process for how charities can turn their raw data into wisdom and informed action. Data with Destiny draws on the…