Home Office Minister Hazel Blears today confirmed funding of £16.5m for six ChangeUp national hubs of expertise over the next two years. These hubs will act as beacons of best practice and provide strategic leadership for the voluntary and community sector. This significant investment reflects the Government's commitment to a strong, independent and competent voluntary and community sector (VCS) and its desire to ensure that front line organisations have access to the support they need.
Each hub is dedicated to achieving excellence in a specific area. These areas are:
- Performance improvement;
- Workforce Development;
- Governance;
- Information and Communication Technology (ICT);
- Financing VCS activity; and
- Recruiting and developing volunteers.
These areas were identified through consultation as the key support needs of frontline VCS organisations.
Home Office Minister Hazel Blears said:
"I am delighted that we have been able to provide £16.5m of funding for the six ChangeUp Hubs. The Government values the voluntary and community sector and recognises that the time, talents and passion invested by its workers and supporters make a real difference to people's lives. These hubs will improve the co-ordination and quality of support available to frontline VCS organisations and are a positive example of partnership within the sector."
The ChangeUp hubs will enhance efficiency and reduce duplication. They will work closely with the VCS on activities being undertaken at a regional and local level, providing services and support at a national level where this is the most efficient option.
The Home Office has also confirmed £1.2m funding for the Net:gain ICT project delivering local ICT support to frontline VCS organisations through UK Online centres. This initiative will work closely with the ICT hub as it develops.
Notes for Editors
- The accountable bodies for each hub are as follows:
- Performance Improvement - Charities Evaluation Service
- Workforce - National Council of Voluntary Organisations (NCVO)
- ICT - NCVO
- Finance - Charities Aid Foundations
- Governance - NCVO
- Volunteering - Volunteering England
- The investment in hubs is part of the £80m being invested by Government to deliver the ChangeUp programme. 65% of this money is being invested at local and regional level. There is more information on ChangeUp on the Home Office website:
http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/comrace/active/developing/index.html - The ICT hub has been allocated funding of £4m for the years 05/06 and 06/07. The other five hubs have each been allocated funding of approximately £2.5m for the years 05/06 and 06/07. The Net: gain partnership has been allocated £1.2m for the years 05/06 and 06/07. The Net: gain partnership is led by ruralnet|uk, as the accountable body, with partners Ufi, Foyer Federation and Funding Matters.
