Central London CVS are making a difference for groups in London
19th February 2010
Central London CVS Network is publishing a report called Supporting Central London’s local third sector that explores the impact of services offered by the Central London CVS.
There are seven CVS in the Central London CVS Network representing the boroughs of Camden, Islington, Kensington & Chelsea, Lambeth, Southwark, Westminster and Wandsworth. The report is based on a survey of over 150 groups who use the services of their CVS, as well as CVS monitoring information and annual reports.
The Results
87% of survey respondents said that CVS capacity-building support had helped them improve the quality of their services.
The report highlights the importance of the role of the CVS in improving capacity within the organisations they support. Last year, the CVS trained and supported over 2,800 groups a year across the Central London boroughs. The survey found that the majority of groups (93%) approach their CVS because they want to become more effective or efficient in some aspect of their service delivery or organisation’s management; 82% of these respondents felt CVS interventions had improved their effectiveness.
Other areas of positive impact from CVS support highlighted by groups include being better able to work in partnership, more sustainable, and more confident and skilled trustees.
The value of the CVS approach - Critical Success Factors
The survey results clearly demonstrate groups’ positive experiences and the benefits of using their local CVS. The report discusses the importance of the “friendly”, “helpful” and “practical” approach offered by CVS staff, as well as the crucial high quality services, staff with local knowledge and skills and affordability of services.
Accessing the report
The report will be published in February and launched on Monday 15 March 2010 at an event being held at the CCLA offices with keynote speakers Peter Wanless, Chief Executive of Big Lottery Fund and Stephen Quashie, Value of Infrastructure Programme Manager, NCVO.
Printed copies of the report will be available from Katie Hall, on 020 7832 5808 or katie.hall@vai.org.uk. A PDF version of the full report and summary of key findings will be available to download from www.clcvs.net.
For more information or to ask about the report, please contact Lisa Charalambous on Lisa.Charalambous@vai.org.uk or 020 7832 5807
