Update from Ian Piper, Chief Executive, PCCS
Well it’s been another busy month at PCCS and I am pleased to report that good progress continues to be made within PCCS and the voluntary and community sector in Portsmouth.
I am delighted to be able to confirm that PCCS has received the National Association for Voluntary and Community Action (NAVCA) Quality Award for three years with effect from May 2008. PCCS is one of only 23 organisations in the UK to have been approved for this award. The award is a rigorous examination of local infrastructure organisations and demands excellence across all 5 Performance Standards, covering 30 outputs and 21 outcomes.
PCCS has also been awarded an Adult Learning contract with Portsmouth City Council along with funding to enhance training quality standards.
During June the PCCS Volunteer Centre organised a successful volunteers week which included a speed dating event and an event at the Kings theatre Southsea, where I was delighted to award well earned certificates of thanks to over 50 local volunteers.
The sector has also been acknowledged by The Queen, in that the Haven Community Project has become the first charity in Portsmouth to receive the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service. So congratulations to Adrian Clee and all the team at the Haven.
On the development front, following discussion with PCCS a £100,000 pa investment fund for Voluntary and Community Sector groups has been established by Portsmouth City Teaching Primary Care Trust (PCT) for a period of two years. PCCS has agreed to hold and manage the funds as the funding partner. A meeting to establish criteria for the funds use is being set up with key members of the sector. The aim of the fund is to facilitate the local voluntary and community sector to help support the delivery of the PCT’s health targets. More news on this once the criteria and application process have been agreed.
An opportunity for the sector to meet with Innes Richens, Director of Commissioning at the PCT, is also being planned.
Planning work has also commenced with the sector in relation to exploring how asset transfer can assist the community and voluntary sector in delivering its objectives. The idea of a local Third Sector Centre of Excellence is being explored.
On 2 July the Lord Mayor of Portsmouth visited PCCS and the Shopmobility service. At Shopmobility he met many of the volunteers and users of this vital city centre service which provides independence and a lifeline for many disabled people.
And finally, The Portsmouth Third Sector Development Consortium Open Space event held on 27 June was very successful with a number of strong ideas developed for taking forward the work of the sector in the City.
I hope you will be able to have some time to relax over the summer.