Today to London for a conference on tranforming public service delivery. I have seen during my career (local government officer, councillor and VCS Chief Officer) much talk about tranformation and little evidence. 20 years of this type of rhetoric still leads me to the belief that UK infrastructure is just appalling and wherever I go in the world to poor and rich places alike it always seems easier to get around. Train is 20 minutes late and Parliament Square is grid-locked bacause of the state visit of the King of Saudi Arabia every police officer I see is seriously tooled up and security is tight. Human rights in are generally considered to be minimal or non-existent in that regime so why we are rolling out red carpets is sliightly beyond my understanding 'oil' and 'arms-sales' do spring to mind I guess. Anyway Phil Hope tries top convince us that more Govt money is on the way and there is renewed determination to see 3rd sector delivery of services. The audience are baffled that they hear the rhetoric but never get to see the resources!
Anyway the public service announcement lyric is from The Clash and is in the words of Joe Strummer "a public service announcement - with guitars" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nPeWSpB_7w4
Wednesday 31 October 2007
Sunday 28 October 2007
Stripped
Saturday was a dull day not just weather wise but because of a necessary but very boring task. A large room to be stripped of its wallpaper, lining and "made good" as the painters and decorators would say. Not much to say about this except it is well boring. I did get a chance to listen to a few albums though. Jaan rings me with details of his dissertation which I ak supervising. We have been exchanging comments and have a very useful discussion about the shape it is going to take. It is exploring the impact of ASBO's on young people's behaviour and it was a nice break to kick around a few tips on labelling theory before heading back to the decorating. A nice run completed the day at about 5.30 over the Hastings Country Park. The weather is really starting to change now and it can only be a matter of time when the Countryside becomes too muddy to run on. Then it will be back to the roads. An obvious lyric reference would have been christine aguilera but I have gone for Basildons most famous musical export in the form of Depeche Mode http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7lrQuiEkOVU
On the Case
Thursday and friday were largely filled with casework and a series of meetings with groups and charities of all sizes. One an hour every hour for most of the day but it is an aspect of my job which reminds me of the legal work I used to do. My case management should be a bit easier as we have invested in a dictation system so the HVA admin staff can be irritated by the sound of my voice when I am absent as well as when I am there. Anyway the issues we deal with are numerous - a tupe transfer, a tendering exercise, a financial review and some staffing issues. I catch up with Andy from the Xtrax young people's project as he has asked me to facilitate an away day for his staff and trustees. It is an organisation I have a lot of time for particularly as I went on the initial visit to look at other similar projects with Dave its founder during the late 1980's when I was running a youth homelessness charity in the Town. Seems like another age. Anyway the lyric reference is from the era when Xtrax was founded and is from the neglected 2unlimited click and enjoy http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_-YXHSz1sME
Wednesday 24 October 2007
The Youth of Today
Today we begin with a short team meeting which covers all manner of topics from the staff away day, planning for the AGM and general catching up. I give a brief update on my work in France and the fact that we may be hosting a study visit in ’08. I sense from the team that a liaison visit to France conjours up visions of quaffing red wine and eating great food. If only they knew how far from the truth that was and refer the sceptics to my blog for the grusome details of the visit!!
Crucially, we are in the process of selecting the HVA quiz team for the inter-agency quiz which is held annually to bring together workers and agencies from across the Town. HVA are defending the title having won the event last year.
The Xmas dinner is also on the agenda reminding me how quickly this year has flown.
Onwards to facilitate a session with various partners to discuss the development of youth provision and a Youth Hub for the Town. This comes on the back of a number of meetings and discussions which were kicked off by the Youth Council who want to see some “state of the art” provision for young people as part of thee Towns regeneration. And why not. Unfortunately parts of the Local Authority have adopted an approach which at best does not treat the Youth Council’s ideas seriously and at worst is deeply patronising towards them. For myself, I have found them to be clear and articulate and maybe if a few more Youth Council members were actually Councillors then the Town would propably be better for it.
I usually use my early run with the dog to think through the day ahead. As I made my way over the Country park this morningI have to confess to not looking forward to my role as facilitator as previous discussions have been a bit mired in talk rather than action. But as the morning progresses I am pleasantly surprised as there is energy and a clear action plan which partners commit to. There is a model and some commitment to aligning work with young people and a sense of purpose which is good news. I take all the flip charts and 'post its' home to write up whilst it is fresh in my mind. Then onto the gym early evening and back to work to meet Matt a student whose dissertation I am supervising. Matt tells me - with his deadline for outline submission looming - that he works best under pressure. Tonight we shall see how right he is!
Anyway our lyric today is not, as you might have thought the Straight Edge Hardcore punk band from Cincinnatti (which would at least have some elements of street cred) but the rather cheesy and forgotton 80’s song from Musical Youth. For those don’t remember how awful they – and this video - were, get ready to cringe as you press the link and don’t say I didn’t warn you http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=VsPiKkxucyQ
Crucially, we are in the process of selecting the HVA quiz team for the inter-agency quiz which is held annually to bring together workers and agencies from across the Town. HVA are defending the title having won the event last year.
The Xmas dinner is also on the agenda reminding me how quickly this year has flown.
Onwards to facilitate a session with various partners to discuss the development of youth provision and a Youth Hub for the Town. This comes on the back of a number of meetings and discussions which were kicked off by the Youth Council who want to see some “state of the art” provision for young people as part of thee Towns regeneration. And why not. Unfortunately parts of the Local Authority have adopted an approach which at best does not treat the Youth Council’s ideas seriously and at worst is deeply patronising towards them. For myself, I have found them to be clear and articulate and maybe if a few more Youth Council members were actually Councillors then the Town would propably be better for it.
I usually use my early run with the dog to think through the day ahead. As I made my way over the Country park this morningI have to confess to not looking forward to my role as facilitator as previous discussions have been a bit mired in talk rather than action. But as the morning progresses I am pleasantly surprised as there is energy and a clear action plan which partners commit to. There is a model and some commitment to aligning work with young people and a sense of purpose which is good news. I take all the flip charts and 'post its' home to write up whilst it is fresh in my mind. Then onto the gym early evening and back to work to meet Matt a student whose dissertation I am supervising. Matt tells me - with his deadline for outline submission looming - that he works best under pressure. Tonight we shall see how right he is!
Anyway our lyric today is not, as you might have thought the Straight Edge Hardcore punk band from Cincinnatti (which would at least have some elements of street cred) but the rather cheesy and forgotton 80’s song from Musical Youth. For those don’t remember how awful they – and this video - were, get ready to cringe as you press the link and don’t say I didn’t warn you http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=VsPiKkxucyQ
Tuesday 23 October 2007
Non, je ne regret rien
Sunday saw me on a ferry to France to go for an interreg EU funded project with two colleagues from Brighton’s Working Together project. I am always a bit hesitant about going on conferences or study visits with colleagues I don’t know well as you have to spend a lot of time together. But Louise and Paul come up trumps and throughout are very good company with whom I have lots in common which is a big relief. Louise shares my interests in running and diving and Paul my interest in obscure music so we rub along well. They are also both good at what they do and have a sense of humour which means a lot in the somehwat worthy world of the VCS. It is a good job too as our trip is not without its adversities as we get a little lost and arrive at the hotel just in time for everything to have closed. A little negotiation using Louise’s impeccable French gets us some trays of salad to eat in our rooms.
The following day is intensive when we find the institute – which is nearest to what we used to call a Polytechnic - and meet our prospective French partners. With the best of intentions it is an exhausting day. There is something about a 6 hour meeting, poorly chairted, translated into 2 languages to be seen to be believed. There are differences of approaches to be managed as well as the fact that some concepts do not have an equivalent in the French language. The UK contingent bang on about 'mentoring' only to find that this word has no direct equivalent in French and so we struggle to find some common ground or a model on which we can conceive a project. Lunch was an indifferent affair consistent of meatballs and chips – clearly Jamie Oliver has not made across the channel. People often wax lyrical about French food, bread and coffee but the reality is not always as good as it is cracked up to be. After lunch and a quick introduction to the Director General of the Institute it is back to thrash out aims, objectives and activities. Somehow whatever ever the culture and language, flipcharts and arguing the toss over priorities are the same wherever you go. I have found that whoever holds the big felt tip pen at the end usually wins the day!!
We are joined by Delphine the programme manager of the EU regional funds who, thankfully has both languages. Finally we arrive at a consensus for a micro-project which is a pilot which, potentially could unlock the doors for much larger EU funding but we shall see. We make the 9.00 ferry to arrive back home at 11.30pm. Sue has waited up which is lovely as she is under the work cosh too at present but falls asleep on the couch shortly after but the thought was there!!
Was it worth it?, well overall it was a really tiring 2 days but interesting to see a different perspective on some of the issues we face and if we can do some joint work together – fine. So in the words of our song lyric No, I regret nothing… http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=CzJjbHAlMVI
The following day is intensive when we find the institute – which is nearest to what we used to call a Polytechnic - and meet our prospective French partners. With the best of intentions it is an exhausting day. There is something about a 6 hour meeting, poorly chairted, translated into 2 languages to be seen to be believed. There are differences of approaches to be managed as well as the fact that some concepts do not have an equivalent in the French language. The UK contingent bang on about 'mentoring' only to find that this word has no direct equivalent in French and so we struggle to find some common ground or a model on which we can conceive a project. Lunch was an indifferent affair consistent of meatballs and chips – clearly Jamie Oliver has not made across the channel. People often wax lyrical about French food, bread and coffee but the reality is not always as good as it is cracked up to be. After lunch and a quick introduction to the Director General of the Institute it is back to thrash out aims, objectives and activities. Somehow whatever ever the culture and language, flipcharts and arguing the toss over priorities are the same wherever you go. I have found that whoever holds the big felt tip pen at the end usually wins the day!!
We are joined by Delphine the programme manager of the EU regional funds who, thankfully has both languages. Finally we arrive at a consensus for a micro-project which is a pilot which, potentially could unlock the doors for much larger EU funding but we shall see. We make the 9.00 ferry to arrive back home at 11.30pm. Sue has waited up which is lovely as she is under the work cosh too at present but falls asleep on the couch shortly after but the thought was there!!
Was it worth it?, well overall it was a really tiring 2 days but interesting to see a different perspective on some of the issues we face and if we can do some joint work together – fine. So in the words of our song lyric No, I regret nothing… http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=CzJjbHAlMVI
Thursday 18 October 2007
I got me some bad news for you, Sunshine.
Board meeting days are always really busy and this one is no exception . I start at home on the computer finalising a board report I should have finished last night but was too tired and seriously descending into gibberish. The day at work begins with a quick meeting with one of our trustees who seeks advice on an issue relating to one of the charities he has an involvement with. It is about the distinction between a lease and a license (a subject which has fascinated land lawyers and academics for as long as I can remember). A quick word with Pauline our financial administrator and Jill our Deputy Director about some information I am giving to the board and the best way of managing the process. The board meeting itself lasts most of the morning and reviews the whole operation, accounts, the operational plan, future activity, audit, quality assurance and some of the key issues which will affect us in the future.
After it finishes I catch up phone and e-mail messages and meet Owen a former colleague and now Chair of the Hastings Intercultural Organisation - an embryonic network for BME groups for lunch. After this I return to the office for a brieifing on Intereg funding from Peter (HVAs funding advisor) prior to my meetings on Sunday and the seminar we have with potential French partners on Monday. Never having fully engaged with Interreg funding before I am in unchartered territory (and I am a tad sceptical) but Peter sends some helpful links for me to download and review and we explore possibilities.
I join the Community Network for a quick discussion about how to approach our meeting withthe chair of the LSP and the Chief Executive of the Borough Council later in the afternoon. This is ostensibly regarding the Councils restructuring and some of the concerns of local networks and forums about process and outcome. However, the meeting soon turns into a briefing for the Community Network about the latest on the Comprehensive Spending Review and what this portends for Hastings. The Chief Exec paints a potentially bleak picture which will create some significant problems for the Town in terms of its NRF funding and the kind of structures - such as the Area Management Boards It is an honest and open debate conducted at a good level and members of the Community Network, I think, impress with their grasp of the issues and their willingness to talk at a strategic level - it is a reminder of the journey which members of the network have made in terms of understanding and the confidence to really engage with senior officials. There is an interesting difference of perspective between the Statutory and Voluntary Sector when faced with financial challanges. The HBC line is downsize and collapse strcutures immediately in light of funding problems. Whereas the voluntary sector view is to be more reluctant to take such a emphatic step and seek to extend and adapt. It was also a defining moment in terms of the local authorities understanding of the voluntary sector as it was conceded that the difficult issues they face (loss of funding, uncertainty and managing transition in uncertain times) are issues which we have faced every year for a long time. There is some prospect of succesor programmes which might mitigate the impact but the delay in the CSR announcement pushes everything into very difficult territory.
Hastings Voluntary Action and its predecessor bodies have been in existence since 1855 and have never had funding for a period longer than 12 months so this is a feeling which we have come to know only too well. As ever, it creates more uncertainty which is really difficult to deal with. The meeting breaks up with as many questions as answers but I think members of the network were pleased with the honesty of the briefing if not with its contents. Again it is a wait and see job but I advocate that wait and see does not mean wait and do nothing. There is some serious work to be done to create a contingency to preserve some of the involvement structures which have taken a long time to build up and could wither all to easily. I urge the Council to look at developing an alternative approach by investing in these structures given that every major institution has funding - and a legal requirement to engage with communities. If things are not handled well the very structures which make this possible could be an early casualty. Early evening finds me restless so I go for a run to the sound of The Smiths (it had been that kind of a day). But, as they say at the end of Gone with The Wind..."Tomorrow is another day."
Anyway I almost forgot to identify our lyric reference which is from a Pink Floyd song and here it is from the film The Wall which I often feel that I am beating my head against!!http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=GjU4M4G38lA
After it finishes I catch up phone and e-mail messages and meet Owen a former colleague and now Chair of the Hastings Intercultural Organisation - an embryonic network for BME groups for lunch. After this I return to the office for a brieifing on Intereg funding from Peter (HVAs funding advisor) prior to my meetings on Sunday and the seminar we have with potential French partners on Monday. Never having fully engaged with Interreg funding before I am in unchartered territory (and I am a tad sceptical) but Peter sends some helpful links for me to download and review and we explore possibilities.
I join the Community Network for a quick discussion about how to approach our meeting withthe chair of the LSP and the Chief Executive of the Borough Council later in the afternoon. This is ostensibly regarding the Councils restructuring and some of the concerns of local networks and forums about process and outcome. However, the meeting soon turns into a briefing for the Community Network about the latest on the Comprehensive Spending Review and what this portends for Hastings. The Chief Exec paints a potentially bleak picture which will create some significant problems for the Town in terms of its NRF funding and the kind of structures - such as the Area Management Boards It is an honest and open debate conducted at a good level and members of the Community Network, I think, impress with their grasp of the issues and their willingness to talk at a strategic level - it is a reminder of the journey which members of the network have made in terms of understanding and the confidence to really engage with senior officials. There is an interesting difference of perspective between the Statutory and Voluntary Sector when faced with financial challanges. The HBC line is downsize and collapse strcutures immediately in light of funding problems. Whereas the voluntary sector view is to be more reluctant to take such a emphatic step and seek to extend and adapt. It was also a defining moment in terms of the local authorities understanding of the voluntary sector as it was conceded that the difficult issues they face (loss of funding, uncertainty and managing transition in uncertain times) are issues which we have faced every year for a long time. There is some prospect of succesor programmes which might mitigate the impact but the delay in the CSR announcement pushes everything into very difficult territory.
Hastings Voluntary Action and its predecessor bodies have been in existence since 1855 and have never had funding for a period longer than 12 months so this is a feeling which we have come to know only too well. As ever, it creates more uncertainty which is really difficult to deal with. The meeting breaks up with as many questions as answers but I think members of the network were pleased with the honesty of the briefing if not with its contents. Again it is a wait and see job but I advocate that wait and see does not mean wait and do nothing. There is some serious work to be done to create a contingency to preserve some of the involvement structures which have taken a long time to build up and could wither all to easily. I urge the Council to look at developing an alternative approach by investing in these structures given that every major institution has funding - and a legal requirement to engage with communities. If things are not handled well the very structures which make this possible could be an early casualty. Early evening finds me restless so I go for a run to the sound of The Smiths (it had been that kind of a day). But, as they say at the end of Gone with The Wind..."Tomorrow is another day."
Anyway I almost forgot to identify our lyric reference which is from a Pink Floyd song and here it is from the film The Wall which I often feel that I am beating my head against!!http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=GjU4M4G38lA
Tuesday 16 October 2007
Been away so long I hardly knew the place
Not really sure if that is true as I was only away for a day and the weekend which made it seem longer than it actually was. A Friday in France as Sue is working virtually every weekend until Christmas. Anyway a smooth ferry crossing and some shopping ws what we had. As I am standing outside the CitiEurope shopping centre who do I meet but Chris the Chair of HVA's Management Committee who is also on a day trip. This coincidence is proof that it would be virtually impossible to do a Lord Lucan-esque disappearance from HVA you would always run into someone you knew. Anyway a big task at home over the weekend (clearing out the basement which has not been done since jimmy Carter was in the Whitehouse!).
By the time we got to the end we decided that a treat had been earned and we go to a real musical gem seeing Ladysmith Black Mamboza at the White Rock Theatre. Ladysmith Black Mambazo is a male choral group from South Africa that sings in the vocal style of isicathamiya and mbube. They rose to worldwide prominence as a result of singing with Paul Simon on his album, Graceland. They were formed by Joseph Shabalala in 1960 (Shabalala still leads the group today) and has now become a mobile academy, teaching people about South Africa and its culture. Many years ago I was very involved with the Anti Apartheid movement and first saw LBM in about 1986 or 87 when Apartheid was still engrained with very little prospect of change. How wonderful to see them in concert again celebrating a free South Africa and equality under the law! Anyway it was a wonderful performance and I caught up with Enda and Leslie LSP Coordinators past and present who were there. If you don't know just how good these guys are click here http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=J85QrbR5oUE the guys in question are LBM rather than the LSP Coordinators - although they are not bad either).
Our lyric is the fab four and here is local lad Mr McCartney doing it http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=GhRu9yzlTRI
By the time we got to the end we decided that a treat had been earned and we go to a real musical gem seeing Ladysmith Black Mamboza at the White Rock Theatre. Ladysmith Black Mambazo is a male choral group from South Africa that sings in the vocal style of isicathamiya and mbube. They rose to worldwide prominence as a result of singing with Paul Simon on his album, Graceland. They were formed by Joseph Shabalala in 1960 (Shabalala still leads the group today) and has now become a mobile academy, teaching people about South Africa and its culture. Many years ago I was very involved with the Anti Apartheid movement and first saw LBM in about 1986 or 87 when Apartheid was still engrained with very little prospect of change. How wonderful to see them in concert again celebrating a free South Africa and equality under the law! Anyway it was a wonderful performance and I caught up with Enda and Leslie LSP Coordinators past and present who were there. If you don't know just how good these guys are click here http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=J85QrbR5oUE the guys in question are LBM rather than the LSP Coordinators - although they are not bad either).
Our lyric is the fab four and here is local lad Mr McCartney doing it http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=GhRu9yzlTRI
Thursday 11 October 2007
We’re on the Road to Nowhere
This morning enjoyed cream cakes and tea with the team organised by Habibah, our Community Cohesion Officer, to celebrate Eid ul-Fitr – End of Ramadan. For Muslims, this is an occasion that marks the end of a month of fasting and the achievement of enhanced spirituality. It is also a day of peace of congregation, fellowship, brotherhood and unity. How fitting that the whole HVA team should share in this celebration!
Caught up with Jill, our deputy director as she emerged from a monitoring love-in with members of the team, laden with various publications on measuring effectiveness. Jill reliably informed me that there was a great deal of excitement around gearing up for the NAVCA performance standards and that as far as she was concerned it was the best thing since aunty Mable caught her left tit in the mangle. Had a chat with Jill about the ongoing success of our volunteer accreditation programme and reported back on my wild night out at the Hastings Achievers Awards. For those of you that want to get a flavour of the good works going on in Hastings there is a very good video of the Achievers award on the Observer website http://www.hastingsobserver.co.uk/ . Three awards for Best Community Group, Making a Difference to Hastings and Overall Achiever went to one of our member organisations Gizmo, in recognition of their community arts work with children and young people. It was great to hear Pat Fisher from Gizmo crediting HVA for supporting their work. HVA have been involved with Gizmo through thick and thin - and in the early days there was plenty of thin! - so it was great to see them take their rightful place up on the podium for once.
Talking to Jill reminded me that on the last night of the NAVCA conference at Keele Uni she had a dream that she was on a bus on some kind of magical mystery tour with other CVS worthies and Kevin Curley at the wheel. At some point on the road there was a general consensus that they were lost. Jill popped out to retrieve a map from a run down community building and popped back on again. Unfortunately the map wasn’t much good as no one knew where they were let alone where they were going! What was that all about?? It must have been something in the strange tomato blancmange they served as as the starter at the end of conference dinner!
Todays lyric is the excellent Talking Heads led by David Byrne. A real groundbreaking video too which you can see here http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=LLiX8sgfgQU
Caught up with Jill, our deputy director as she emerged from a monitoring love-in with members of the team, laden with various publications on measuring effectiveness. Jill reliably informed me that there was a great deal of excitement around gearing up for the NAVCA performance standards and that as far as she was concerned it was the best thing since aunty Mable caught her left tit in the mangle. Had a chat with Jill about the ongoing success of our volunteer accreditation programme and reported back on my wild night out at the Hastings Achievers Awards. For those of you that want to get a flavour of the good works going on in Hastings there is a very good video of the Achievers award on the Observer website http://www.hastingsobserver.co.uk/ . Three awards for Best Community Group, Making a Difference to Hastings and Overall Achiever went to one of our member organisations Gizmo, in recognition of their community arts work with children and young people. It was great to hear Pat Fisher from Gizmo crediting HVA for supporting their work. HVA have been involved with Gizmo through thick and thin - and in the early days there was plenty of thin! - so it was great to see them take their rightful place up on the podium for once.
Talking to Jill reminded me that on the last night of the NAVCA conference at Keele Uni she had a dream that she was on a bus on some kind of magical mystery tour with other CVS worthies and Kevin Curley at the wheel. At some point on the road there was a general consensus that they were lost. Jill popped out to retrieve a map from a run down community building and popped back on again. Unfortunately the map wasn’t much good as no one knew where they were let alone where they were going! What was that all about?? It must have been something in the strange tomato blancmange they served as as the starter at the end of conference dinner!
Todays lyric is the excellent Talking Heads led by David Byrne. A real groundbreaking video too which you can see here http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=LLiX8sgfgQU
Wednesday 10 October 2007
On the Road Again
This morning it was Eastbourne and a hurridly arranged meeting about hate crime. There is some Government funding available which might extend the reporting racial incidents (rri) service beyond its currently poor state into something which might have some community ownership. We kick this around for a little while and agree to reform again once we have a draft of an approach clearer in our heads. This will mean lots of e-mail exchanges back and forth over the next couple of weeks but we shall see. A little bonus on my way back to the station when I visit the Marie Curie charity shop and get for a mere 50p a late Miles Davis album (Tutu) which I used to have on vinyl but haven't heard for some time. I saw Miles Davis at the Fairfield Halls in Croydon which must have been the tour associated with the release of this album. Actually, it is the first performance I have ever seen which started with a slow handclap and ended with a standing ovation. Mr Davis was about half an hour late on stage and the audience were getting miffed. But his playing was both faultless and effortless and resulted in him being cheered to the rafters with, I think 3 encores including Kind of Blue which is a personal favourite of mine.
Anyway, I digress. Back to the office and catching up with a funding return, paperwork and the inevitable e-mails. Today we have an unexpected power cut caused, I think by the work taking place next door to our building. I leave the building in darkness with no one being able to do much, meet with the site manager who is waiting for Seaboard and then move to the White Rock Theatre. Here, I attend a meeting of Hastings Age Concern - a local organisation I have worked with a lot and I have a lot of time for. Basically they are experiencing something of a funding crisis and have reduced the core service to as small as you can get it. The next 12 months is likely to be their "make or break" year and I want to show my support by going to the AGM. Ironically in the midst of all this uncertainty they have seen more clients, gained more benefit on their behalf and opened new areas of service which is a real tribute to their determination. The work they do ranges from the campaigning to the basic (a first class toe-nail cutting service I am told). From there it is home to complete my board report and look at a lease (seeing if I can recall the basics of the landlord and tenant legislation from law school - it has been a while).
When I get in Holly is on the sofa and unwell and Sue comes in at about 8.30 saying she thinks she has the flu. I make Heinz tomato soup for them both which has to be the best comfort food ever made when you are ill. I play the part of Florence Nightingale - or given that it is actually Black History Month Mary Seacole - that's how right-on I am!!! And they are now both in bed.
The day is now winding down at about 10.30pm which seems an awfully long time since I boarded the 8.15am train this morning. I am finishing a rather well written biography of Nick Drake who, although he only recorded 32 songs, has had such an influence on a whole range of musicians and writers. Todays lyric is, of course, the great Willie Nelson a truly iconic American singer songwriter and here is a little montage of his career to his signature tune http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yVuUH3YmnG8
Anyway, I digress. Back to the office and catching up with a funding return, paperwork and the inevitable e-mails. Today we have an unexpected power cut caused, I think by the work taking place next door to our building. I leave the building in darkness with no one being able to do much, meet with the site manager who is waiting for Seaboard and then move to the White Rock Theatre. Here, I attend a meeting of Hastings Age Concern - a local organisation I have worked with a lot and I have a lot of time for. Basically they are experiencing something of a funding crisis and have reduced the core service to as small as you can get it. The next 12 months is likely to be their "make or break" year and I want to show my support by going to the AGM. Ironically in the midst of all this uncertainty they have seen more clients, gained more benefit on their behalf and opened new areas of service which is a real tribute to their determination. The work they do ranges from the campaigning to the basic (a first class toe-nail cutting service I am told). From there it is home to complete my board report and look at a lease (seeing if I can recall the basics of the landlord and tenant legislation from law school - it has been a while).
When I get in Holly is on the sofa and unwell and Sue comes in at about 8.30 saying she thinks she has the flu. I make Heinz tomato soup for them both which has to be the best comfort food ever made when you are ill. I play the part of Florence Nightingale - or given that it is actually Black History Month Mary Seacole - that's how right-on I am!!! And they are now both in bed.
The day is now winding down at about 10.30pm which seems an awfully long time since I boarded the 8.15am train this morning. I am finishing a rather well written biography of Nick Drake who, although he only recorded 32 songs, has had such an influence on a whole range of musicians and writers. Todays lyric is, of course, the great Willie Nelson a truly iconic American singer songwriter and here is a little montage of his career to his signature tune http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yVuUH3YmnG8
Tuesday 9 October 2007
Big Spender
A bit of a frenetic day which opens with the early train to County Hall in Lewes for the quarterly Voluntary Sector County Council liaison group in wich we cover issues like the Health and Social Care Agenda, Consultation, Supporting People Inspection, It is a mixture of Councils for Voluntary Service and the larger County Wide Voluntary Organisations. There is a real will to forge better working arrangements but hell it is really complex with so much uncertainty over the framwework within which it will all take place (LAA, funding, future of local government reform).
I make my way back to the station via 2 charity shops which net me a Divine Comedy album and an obscure mid-90’s work by Monday Michiru who is big on the “trip-hop” scene in Japan and parts of Europe. Although what a japanese import of her 1995 album Jazz Brat is doing in the hospice shop in Lewes High Street I know not.
Back to the office and dealing with the urgent and generally catching up. I learn that I am wanted/needed at a Hate Crime meeting tomorrow morning so that might mean another trek. I then pick up a lease from a local firm of solicitors which I have agreed to review for a local group to avoid being a victim of the postal strike. Arrive home to catch the Comprehensive Spending Review announcement - exciting life we lead isn't it. It will take a while to work out what it will mean for the sector and for places like Hastings
I catch up with Fran our community network development worker who craves more updates to the blog which I haven’t got round to since last Thursday. I am told that it is the best way for HVA staff members to know what I have been doing but - oh the problems of meeting the needs of an insatiable fan base! I am reminded of my favourite story about Charles Dickens. Many of Dickens novels were serialised in a journal called Household Words which was published each week Dickens literally wrote each instalment week by week. Anyway he was in a stationers shop waiting to buy pens ink and some paper to write the next instalment. Anyway the women in front of him in the stationers asks to buy the latest copy of Household Words to catch up with the latest instalment of the Old Curiosity Shop. She is given the latest edition which she says she already has. At this point Dickens realises that she is trying to buy the next instalment which is not even written yet and, indeed, he has gone to the stationers to buy the pen to write it with!!
Anyway tonight we have the Hastings Achievers awards which is a celebration of the unsung heroes of Hastings. Hastings Voluntary Action have been on the panel of judges for the past two years – although, as I was on holiday Chris the Chair of our trustee board stood in for me this year. It is usually a good evening and an opportunity to catch up with some folk I haven’t seen for a while.
Anyway what else can I say. I am listening to Incunabula an album by a band called Autechre. Not sure what musical genre to place it in – and some would strongly argue whether the Autechre sound is music at all. An album which I now really rate but took some work (this might give you a flavour of why http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QPEcjQXIHX0 ). It took me a few tries of listening to it on the ipod whilst running over the country park to get into it - but then again that is the good thing about an acquired taste - you don't have to acquire it!!
Lyric today? - in the hope that the the Chancellors Comprehensive Spending Review brings good news and much needed resources for the sector. Over to you Dame Shirley... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C0MZXWKEkIE
I make my way back to the station via 2 charity shops which net me a Divine Comedy album and an obscure mid-90’s work by Monday Michiru who is big on the “trip-hop” scene in Japan and parts of Europe. Although what a japanese import of her 1995 album Jazz Brat is doing in the hospice shop in Lewes High Street I know not.
Back to the office and dealing with the urgent and generally catching up. I learn that I am wanted/needed at a Hate Crime meeting tomorrow morning so that might mean another trek. I then pick up a lease from a local firm of solicitors which I have agreed to review for a local group to avoid being a victim of the postal strike. Arrive home to catch the Comprehensive Spending Review announcement - exciting life we lead isn't it. It will take a while to work out what it will mean for the sector and for places like Hastings
I catch up with Fran our community network development worker who craves more updates to the blog which I haven’t got round to since last Thursday. I am told that it is the best way for HVA staff members to know what I have been doing but - oh the problems of meeting the needs of an insatiable fan base! I am reminded of my favourite story about Charles Dickens. Many of Dickens novels were serialised in a journal called Household Words which was published each week Dickens literally wrote each instalment week by week. Anyway he was in a stationers shop waiting to buy pens ink and some paper to write the next instalment. Anyway the women in front of him in the stationers asks to buy the latest copy of Household Words to catch up with the latest instalment of the Old Curiosity Shop. She is given the latest edition which she says she already has. At this point Dickens realises that she is trying to buy the next instalment which is not even written yet and, indeed, he has gone to the stationers to buy the pen to write it with!!
Anyway tonight we have the Hastings Achievers awards which is a celebration of the unsung heroes of Hastings. Hastings Voluntary Action have been on the panel of judges for the past two years – although, as I was on holiday Chris the Chair of our trustee board stood in for me this year. It is usually a good evening and an opportunity to catch up with some folk I haven’t seen for a while.
Anyway what else can I say. I am listening to Incunabula an album by a band called Autechre. Not sure what musical genre to place it in – and some would strongly argue whether the Autechre sound is music at all. An album which I now really rate but took some work (this might give you a flavour of why http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QPEcjQXIHX0 ). It took me a few tries of listening to it on the ipod whilst running over the country park to get into it - but then again that is the good thing about an acquired taste - you don't have to acquire it!!
Lyric today? - in the hope that the the Chancellors Comprehensive Spending Review brings good news and much needed resources for the sector. Over to you Dame Shirley... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C0MZXWKEkIE
Friday 5 October 2007
Keep on Running
A little bit of an odd week with little to blog about today as I attend a family funeral out of town. However on my return I find that my blogging activities and general making a nuisance of myself on the internet have attracted the attentions of a famous athlete. Basically, a few days ago I was looking for a video of the 1972 800m Final from the Munich Olympics as I want to show a friend the greatest piece of middle distance running I have ever seen. Here it is if you are interested http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5LHid-nC45k . The Gold medal winner was an American guy called Dave Wottle who always ran from the back and invariably wore a baseball cap when he raced. I am not much of a person for sporting heroes but he was mine when I was a kid and probably explains why I still run wearing a baseball cap! He was the first long haired athlete who looked like a college drop out which also appealed to me.
In the Olympic 800m Final, Wottle was written off when he immediately dropped to the rear of the field, and stayed there for the first 500 m, at which point he started to pass runner after runner up the final straight, finally grabbing the lead in the final metres to win by just 0.03 seconds. This gained him the nickname of "The Head Waiter". At the victory ceremony, Wottle unconsciously forgot to remove his baseball cap. This was interpreted by some as a form of protest, but Wottle later apologised. His signature cap was used for practical purposes. He sported long hair at the peak of his career, so the hat kept his hair out of his face. After realizing the cap was part of his identity, he wore it for the remainder of his career.
Anyway, when we do the google search to see the video I discover that Dave Wottle is now an admissions tutor for an American University and lists his personal e-mail address. My friend who I am doing this with says that Mr Wottle would be really pleased to know that his 1972 exploits were still being remembered today and before we know where we are I am composing an e-mail. I talk about the race and my running for charity and the blog. To my surprise I get a lovely encouraging reply from the man himself which was really nice. Here is an extract:-
"I really appreciate your kind note. It’s always great to hear that the Munich 800 meter race has value beyond the race itself. I’m also glad to hear that you are still running…with or without a cap."
So good on you Dave for what you did in '72 and for being polite enough to respond. Perhaps he will be reading this too. Anyway our lyric today comes, of course, from the Spencer Davis Group and sings us out for the weekend. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XLPUmkJoarY&mode=related&search=
In the Olympic 800m Final, Wottle was written off when he immediately dropped to the rear of the field, and stayed there for the first 500 m, at which point he started to pass runner after runner up the final straight, finally grabbing the lead in the final metres to win by just 0.03 seconds. This gained him the nickname of "The Head Waiter". At the victory ceremony, Wottle unconsciously forgot to remove his baseball cap. This was interpreted by some as a form of protest, but Wottle later apologised. His signature cap was used for practical purposes. He sported long hair at the peak of his career, so the hat kept his hair out of his face. After realizing the cap was part of his identity, he wore it for the remainder of his career.
Anyway, when we do the google search to see the video I discover that Dave Wottle is now an admissions tutor for an American University and lists his personal e-mail address. My friend who I am doing this with says that Mr Wottle would be really pleased to know that his 1972 exploits were still being remembered today and before we know where we are I am composing an e-mail. I talk about the race and my running for charity and the blog. To my surprise I get a lovely encouraging reply from the man himself which was really nice. Here is an extract:-
"I really appreciate your kind note. It’s always great to hear that the Munich 800 meter race has value beyond the race itself. I’m also glad to hear that you are still running…with or without a cap."
So good on you Dave for what you did in '72 and for being polite enough to respond. Perhaps he will be reading this too. Anyway our lyric today comes, of course, from the Spencer Davis Group and sings us out for the weekend. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XLPUmkJoarY&mode=related&search=
Tuesday 2 October 2007
The Graduate
Another busy day which started with a brief introduction to the invigilator who is down for the day to audit and verify the work we have commissioned to deliver the certificate in community volunteering. Things seem to be moving ahead well and the partnership with Tomorrows People and the Youth Development Services is beginning to offer accreditations to exisiting volunteers. Indeed our first graduate from the programme has completed the certificate. I then have a series of meetings with colleagues. I have a meeting with the Coordinator for the Youth Council as I have agreed to facilitate a seminar looking at the provision of a Youth Hub for the Town and try to interest service providers and key strategic partners in the concept. It has felt a little like knocking one's head against a brick wall so far but trying to keep positive and optomistic is very much part of our role!! I then support a group in an investigatory meeting which is in the form of a learning enquiry into its health and safety procedures. Thanksfully the incident did not result in an injury but the group want a robust process to learn and refine its approach which is good. I am deliberatly blogging in general terms here to respect confidentiality but give a flavour of the work I am doing. I then catch up with Fran oour Community Network Development Officer and we discuss a change of position from the County Council in folloiwng up from a big Every Child Matters Conference we ran a few months back. I don't suspect anything machiavellian here its just that the Head of Integrated Children Services who was the strategic lead for our partnership work in this field left to take another job. This left a few loose ends and new colleagues with whom we need to start from scratch. As ever a few steps backwards - or at the very least marking time - before stepping forward. Anyway a delightful evening spent completing PCT Questionnaires on the 4 projects we get a funding for. Anyway to celebrate the fact that we have a volunteer who has now got a proper qualification as a result of our LEGI project our lyric reference is from the graduate!!. And here are the Lemonheads singing it http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o6KLpIDbfTw
Monday 1 October 2007
Come to match my skill to yours
Today I spend some time catching up with myself as this is really the first day I have in the office for some time. A communications meting where we spend some time talking about how a voluntary organisation with limited capacity can distribute information and keep a check on what goes out and how we can offer a service which meets everyones needs. I then move onto to an induction meting with the new head of Community Partnerships - we touch base on some common issues but time intrudes on our broader strategic discussion. A quick catch up with the results of the audit meeting (they seem happy with us). A quick briefing on the issues I have to cover to launchy the skillsmatch website, various e-mails to ensure I am up tol speed. I then go to the White Rock Theatre. There is an old showbusiness joke that you play the White Rock Theatre twice in your career - once on the way up and once on the way down - I can only say it was good to be back!
I catch up with Rose HVA's volunteer organiser who invariably provides me with good advice about which novels to read and movies to see. We exchange notes on Atonement (which I have seen and Rose hasn't) V for Vendetta (which Rose has seen and I haven't) and The Book of Dave which is the latest will self novel which we have both started but not really engaged with yet. I speak at the launch and hope I got the main points accross. The organiser seemed pleaseed anyway which is nice. Our lyric today is a Genesis song too obscurte to be listed for a video link but here is a better known tune. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NTdU9m3nhu8
I catch up with Rose HVA's volunteer organiser who invariably provides me with good advice about which novels to read and movies to see. We exchange notes on Atonement (which I have seen and Rose hasn't) V for Vendetta (which Rose has seen and I haven't) and The Book of Dave which is the latest will self novel which we have both started but not really engaged with yet. I speak at the launch and hope I got the main points accross. The organiser seemed pleaseed anyway which is nice. Our lyric today is a Genesis song too obscurte to be listed for a video link but here is a better known tune. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NTdU9m3nhu8
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