Capacitybuilders - Improving support for a stronger third sector

19/08/2008

The taste of victory

Wootton Park Rangers are overjoyed to have won their football league and say victory is due to a passionate manager, committed players and a Skills Audit toolkit they used with development workers to better organise their community club.

Improving the level of 'hands-on' support available to local groups

The Skills Audit toolkit was developed by Skills and Knowledge for Local Development (SKiLD), a learning project for people who give hands-on support to local groups to equip them with the skills and knowledge they need to give relevant, high quality support.

Ongoing support from ChangeUp programme

SKiLD, launched two years ago by the National Association for Voluntary and Community Action (NAVCA), received Capacitybuilders funding of £300,000 in 2007-2008. Capacitybuilders has committed a further £550,000 to support SKiLD 2008-11.

Wide range of toolkits available

SKiLD developed eight toolkits for third sector Development Workers that are available free of charge on their website (www.skild.org.uk) and include topics such as attracting new people, recruiting a worker and improving governance and ran training sessions for support groups.

Reaching out across England

From October 2006-2007, over 450 Development Workers were involved in learning activity organised by SKiLD. Some of the organisations that SKiLD has worked with include: Children’s Workforce Development Council, Devon ChangeUp Consortium, Help the Aged, acevo and Leeds Development Worker Network.

Working with Wooton Park Rangers

Funding Adviser Jane Owen (Bedford Community and Voluntary Service) and Development Worker Kim Norris (Bedfordshire Pilgrims Housing Association) chose to use the SKiLD toolkits when they went to meet with local community football group Wootton Park Rangers.

Encouraging internal review and development

Kim Norris had long been urging the football club to review their skills, become more organised and develop as a group. Over a few hours, everybody worked through the Skills Audit toolkit together.

Identifying skills and looking for gaps

“Jane and Kim used the Skills Audit just as it was designed. They adapted it for the Rangers and it helped them to identify the skills they needed, including the need for a treasurer,” says SKiLD Development Officer Dave Carr.

Smooth running

Wootton’s Manager Paul Prescod, his committee and his players say that, since working through the toolkit, the club has been running more smoothly.

Journey to success

They’re also proud that they won the their league and received the trophy in May.

“It helped us nurture this club. It gave everybody the confidence to open their mouths and say what they’re good at.

Some people are better at stuff than others.  We identified skills and got the committee organised.

We’ve got the support and belief to carry on,” says Paul Prescod.

Going from strength to strength

"The club has developed massively with this tool. Our first season was a disaster but since then we’ve gone from strength to strength and now we’ve got the trophy,” says 18-year old football captain Adam Boughton.