Wandsworth Care Alliance

Understanding and making use of shared resources in the voluntary sector

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As demand for services rises and funding becomes harder to get, organisations and funders must explore different methods to maximise the use of shared resources. One method is an “open and trusting” approach to grant-making, which focuses on improving efficiency, strengthening relationships, and amplifying impact.

This concept is being explored in-depth by the Institute for Voluntary Action Research (IVAR), which has worked with 30 public agencies across three networks — London Funders, Yorkshire Funders, and the Scotland Funders’ Forum — to develop practical tools and frameworks to guide the sector.

Funders who take a more open, trusting, and less complicated approach to giving grants can better support charities, especially in crises. By reducing paperwork and focusing on what charities really need, funders can build stronger relationships and help organisations achieve their goals with more freedom and flexibility.

Learning opportunities

To support funders in adopting this approach, IVAR has developed a set of practical resources to guide them. These resources, accessible on their webpage , offer valuable insights for funders looking to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of their grant-making processes.

Funders interested in learning more about this approach can attend a webinar on Tuesday, 12 November, featuring case studies from organisations that have successfully adopted these methods.

Updated Charity Commission Guidance on Decision-Making

The Charity Commission has published updated guidance on decision-making, providing trustees with clearer insights on how to navigate complex and strategic choices. The guidance details seven key decision-making principles that trustees should follow:

  1. Act within your powers.
  2. Act in good faith and in the interests of the charity.
  3. Ensure you are sufficiently informed.
  4. Consider all relevant factors.
  5. Identify and disregard irrelevant factors
  6. Manage conflicts of interest
  7. Must ensure their decision is within the range of decisions that a reasonable trustee body could make

These principles are a reminder of the critical role trustees play in steering charities through challenging times. In addition to following the charity’s governing documents, trustees are encouraged to carefully document their decisions, ensuring accountability and transparency. By following these principles, trustees can make informed and strategic decisions that align with the charity’s mission, particularly when resources are stretched thin.

Both the IVAR resources and the Charity Commission’s guidance highlight the need for a forward-thinking, collaborative approach to funding and governance. By building trust, improving efficiency, and strengthening the decision-making processes, funders and charities can work together to navigate the increasing need and limited funding and creating a greater impact on the communities.

The Health Inequalities fund – everything you need to know!

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WCA are organising a new programme, working with the health service, 6 partner non-profit organisations, and a university evaluation team to help people in Wandsworth get legal support and welfare advice.

The fund has been designed by the ICB as part of a holistic (whole person) approach to health that sees how people are less likely to need mental and physical health services if they have a good standard of living, with an understanding of their rights and entitlements.

To approach this, the South West London Integrated Care Board (for the NHS), have found 6 themes that correlate to poor health outcomes. ​These themes are:

  • Black Asian Global Majority
  • Learning disabilities and autism​
  • LGBTQIA+​
  • Young and unpaid carers​
  • Socially isolated people​ (loneliness)
  • Asylum seekers and refugees.

They have given us a fund to help address the inequalities local people might be more likely to experience due to the underprivilege and discrimination these groups face. The fund will be used for improving the welfare and legal advice offer for better health outcomes.

Not for profit organisations work in the community, with these groups. As experts at reaching these communities, the ICB recognises that the funds need to be community led and distributed to 6 lead organisations on the frontline. This will help the ICB better understand the issues within these theme groups and help them to carry out preventative care more effectively after listening to the feedback from this project and others like it.

How does it work?

Wandsworth Care Alliance (WCA)manage, divide and distribute £320,000 to 6 leading organisationsto represent each theme. ​

We will then: ​

  • Work with the ICB​
  • Give development support and funds to project leads​
  • Set up a steering group for each project​
  • Coordinate external evaluation with Roehampton University

Together, with support from us (WCA) and having regular check-ins, project leads will design and deliver a programme responding to service users’ specific needs that runs between March 2024 – March 2025.
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How the project is going so far?

The six leads of the different themes have begun work on their projects in a variety of ways including research to understand the barriers faced in accessing welfare and legal advice, reaching out to their target groups to make them aware of the project, and carrying out workshops and 1-1 sessions. As the projects progress, we will provide more detailed updates on the impact of the work.

List of the organisations involved and links to websites here:

For more information on this project contact us at communications@wandcareall.org.uk

New research project: Autism and mental health for children and young people

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Healthwatch Wandsworth’s 2024-2025 research priority is children and young people’s experiences of autism and mental health.

Healthwatch Wandsworth speaks to the local community about their experiences with health and social care services. We then share this information with services to make changes.

Based on feedback from local people, Healthwatch Wandsworth, as the independent champion for users of health and social care, is focusing on autism diagnosis for 0-8 year olds in 2024-5.

Across Wandsworth and England there is an unprecedented number of people seeking an autism diagnosis and wait times to move through the autism diagnosis pathway are lengthy. Often this means people are not getting the support they need as they wait. These delays in diagnosis and support have severe impacts on mental health (Morris J (2024) “The rapidly growing waiting lists for autism and ADHD assessments” QualityWatch: Nuffield Trust and Health Foundation).

We will survey the families and carers of children and young people with autism spectrum condition to explore the following questions:

  • What does a ‘good’ 0-8 year old autism spectrum condition diagnostic pathway look like?
  • How can children and families get the support they need without a diagnosis?

If you’re a family member or carer of a child who is seeking or already has an autism diagnosis, we want to hear from you. Please complete this survey and/or share it with others in the community to make your and their voice heard.

Take the survey.

Hicky’s journey to becoming a trustee

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How it started?

I was working at Age UK Wandsworth (AUW) and had been since the start of my 3rd sector career in 2004, having started out as a volunteer for both their popular Out & About and Be-a-Friend services, before becoming a staff member in Volunteer Management and Events Fundraising. 

Our AUW CEO was a co-opted Trustee of Wandsworth Community Transport (WCT), and she was keen to step down, to give someone else the opportunity to become a member of their Board of Trustees.

I was not someone to put myself forward for things, but with her encouragement, I joined as a Trustee of WCT in February 2014. I remember my first Board meeting well, thinking ‘what am I doing here, and what have I got to offer’.

It feels like yesterday, but it’s clearly not, it’s years and I’m now Chair of the WCT Board, having been nominated for this role when our previous Chair stepped down in December 2020. 

It’s all been a learning experience, and I wholeheartedly recommend becoming a Trustee to anyone, and indeed I always suggest it to my staff team in the charity I lead in my ‘day job’.  It’s a real privilege and an incredible opportunity to learn the inner workings of charities and meet a diverse mix of people whilst supporting local people.

Why I joined?

Joining a Board is a great thing to do, everyone is a first-time Trustee once, no matter how confident and experienced they seem, or become. 

Everyone has something to offer, unique perspectives and points of view are essential, for a mixed and balanced Board, if everyone was the same, thought the same, and came from similar backgrounds, it would make for a dull and very one-dimensional Board.

Whilst I work in the charity sector, it’s not a requirement – Boards need a mix of people from different sectors, with differing skills, from their careers to date, with transferrable skills and life experiences.

It was during the Pandemic that I chose to become a Trustee of another charity that supported my local community, here in Wandsworth; accordingly, I did some research as to what roles were available locally.  I was delighted to see that Wandsworth Care Alliance (WCA) were looking for Trustees at the time, just like they are now!

As the CVS (Council for Voluntary Services) for Wandsworth, WCA are the umbrella charity for our borough, here to support and strengthen the sector, bringing together people and charities, here in our shared community.

WCA also have the Healthwatch Wandsworth contract, which was of real interest to me. 

But what also drew me to applying is, what great people the staff team are, expertly led and guided by their CEO, Jason. Knowing how warm and kind everyone at WCA is, was a real draw for me, particularly as joining their Board felt different, as this time I completed an application for the role and had an interview (however informal it was in reality), as opposed to with WCT, where it was something, I segued into.

I’ve never looked back, being part of the WCA Board team has been great, right from the start and over the course of the past 3 years.  I’ve learned lots and met lovely people.

I would encourage anyone to consider becoming a Trustee, for so many reasons such as:
1. It’s an opportunity to give back.
2. A chance to support positive change in our community.
3. A learning experience and a chance to make new friends.

Undecided if it’s for you? Do you have any questions? If so, please email HR@wandcareall.org.uk and they’ll arrange for us to have an informal conversation; it would be good to have a chat about the difference you can make for our shared community, and indeed how being a Trustee could be great for you, your CV and how you can learn new skills.

To apply for the trustee role click here.

Addressing violence and abuse against children and young people

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Children and young people are the most vulnerable members of our society, yet many continue to suffer in silence from various forms of violence and abuse.

This topic requires urgent attention and action from individuals and communities. By shedding light on this problem and working together to address it’s root causes, we can create safer environments where children and young people can thrive.

Violence and abuse against children and young people can take many forms, including physical, sexual, emotional, and psychological abuse, as well as neglect.

The impact

According to the World Health Organisation, an estimated one billion children aged 2-17 worldwide are affected by violence each year. These experiences can have long-lasting and devastating effects on their physical health, mental well-being, and overall development.

Survivors of violence and abuse may experience mental health problems and without the appropriate support the problems can affect many aspects of their lives such as relationships, education, careers, and overall quality of life.

Prevention

Having appropriate systems and procedures in place can help massively in addressing the issue.The right education and awareness on children’s rights, healthy relationships can allow children to spot signs and report any concerns. Also creating supportive environments for children in schools, communities and homes is also important to allow them to feel comfortable to seek help or advice.

Support

There are various organisations that provide support, guidance, and a safe space to speak about any concerns you have.

The Cassandra Centre – they provide advice, support and counselling services for young people and families who are directly or indirectly involved in abusive relationships.

Britebox, Richmond Women’s Hub – provide support to women to enable them to thrive after experiencing domestic violence.

S.T.O.R.M Family Centre – they provide free counselling services art therapy and sensory therapy. Even if you are not a sufferer or survivor of domestic abuse, they can help with any issues you may be experiencing.

Do you have more resources to share on this article? Please email us on communications@wandcareall.org.uk to share resources.

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