National support services start work

01/04/2008

Capacitybuilders is pleased to confirm that all nine of the ‘National Support Services’ (NSS) start running from April 1st, with six lead agencies having received some early money to make sure they are in a position to hit the ground running.

The nine workstreams will provide resources, evidence and good practice to help support providers improve what they deliver to the frontline.

Jon Fox, Director of Strategy and Policy commented :

"We are working with the lead agencies to maximise coordination of activities and all the workstreams have contributed to a joint web presence which will act as a gateway to the NSS programme. Some lead agencies are able to build immediately from the work of the Hubs, but inevitably there will be setup time and during this period we will work with the leads to develop business plans and align with local and regional priorities. The plans from lead agencies include a range of exciting and innovative proposals for improving support.”

From April 1st details about the activities of the nine workstreams and how support providers can contact them will be accessible via one central webspace, accessible via Capacitybuilders’ home page and directly via www.improvingsupport.org.uk.

Over the next few months, the workstreams will work closely with support providers including local and regional Consortia – funded through the ChangeUp programme - to align national priorities with those at a local and regional level.

Capacitybuilders’ annual conference in June will provide an opportunity for discussion and feedback on the priorities outlined by the nine lead agencies.

ENDS. 260 words

Editors notes:

The nine workstreams are : 

  • Campaigning and Advocacy Lead agency : NCVO
  • Collaboration Lead agency : bassac 
  • Equalities and Diversity Lead agency : Women’s Resource Centre
  • Income Generation Lead agency : ACEVO
  • Leadership and Governance Lead agency : NCVO 
  • Marketing and Communications Lead agency : Media Trust 
  • Modernising Volunteering Lead agency : Volunteerin England 
  • Performance Management Lead agency : Charities Evaluation Services 
  • Responding to Social Change Lead agency : NCVO