ChangeUp

Introduction

What is ChangeUp?

ChangeUp came out of the 2002 Treasury document Cross-cutting review of the role of voluntary and community sector in service delivery. The review explored how central and local government could work more effectively with the voluntary and community sector to deliver high quality services.

The Government has acknowledged that enabling people to become active in their communities and supporting frontline organisations is important, as is involving voluntary and community sector organisations in service delivery, especially in meeting the needs of those who are socially excluded.

A brief overview of ChangeUp

ChangeUp is a joint Government and voluntary/community sector vision for the capacity building support and infrastructure for the VCS should develop in the next 10 years.

Frontline organisations often work with those most at risk from social exclusion, providing help and support, and meeting multiple needs.  The ChangeUp framework sets out to help frontline organisations reach their full potential in improving the quality of life of the communities they serve.

Many groups and organisations - especially the small and medium sizes - are prevented from achieving their potential because they cannot access the support and expertise they need to improve and expand.

There is widespread support for an approach where the voluntary and community sector and central and local Government develop a shared strategy to underpin the capacity of the sector and the ChangeUp framework is the response.  

The framework sets out the aim that "by 2014 the needs of frontline voluntary and community organisations will be met by support which is available nationwide, structured for maximum efficiency, offering excellent provision which is accessible to all while reflecting and promoting diversity and is sustainability funded."

ChangeUp emphasis is very much on collaboration across and between different tiers of infrastructure and between generic and specialist infrastructure providers.  ChangeUp will work nationally, regionally, sub-regionally and locally.

At a national level, 'hubs' of expertise are being created which will focus on delivering support and advice around key areas,  The six hubs are:

  • Performance improvement
 www.performance-improvement.org.uk
  • Workforce development and leadership
  www.voluntarysectorskills.org.uk
  • Information and Communication Technology
 www.ictconsortium.org.uk
  • Governance
 www.governancehub.org.uk
  • Rectuiting and developing volunteers
 www.volunteering.org.uk/changeup
  • Funding voluntary and community sector activity
  

Stakeholders at a local, regional and sub-regional level will come together to agree the shape and structure of provision which best suits the needs of frontline organisations and how it should be funded.  There is an unprecedented level in investment:

What is happening locally?

At a local level, stakeholders are agreeing the shape and structure of provision which best suits the needs of frontline organisations and how it should be funded.

These plans should take account of community planning processes and should ensure that good quality infrastructure provision is in place in all areas of England by 2009.

Two Infrastructure Development Plans (IDPs) are being developed for Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes.  More details will be posted on this page once the IDPs are underway.