CAH Conference on Inclusion 17 November 2011
- Francis Davis
Permission for a revolution? No, just do it!
CAH's guest speaker, Francis Davis was asked to throw down the gauntlet - he did.
We tend to forget that Hampshire has always been a place for innovation, not just in commercial terms, but also on social action. Delegates at CAH’s AGM on 17 November were urged to remember that we have a responsibility right now to keep that tradition alive and be social innovators.
The theme of the event was ‘inclusion’ and guest speaker, Francis Davis, challenged the audience to shift their thinking and create a revolution.
He said some detractors of the Big Society would say that it’s what they are already doing, but he doesn’t agree. Too many are stuck in the way things have always been done, unable to liberate their thinking.
Far from seeing a ‘one nation’ Britain, the gap between different parts of society is growing. So in the face of this rising need, do we just wash our hands and carry on with business as usual, or lead a revolution?
Those with access to credit and resources need to use this for social good. He called on organisations to re-imagine and reinvent what they do. And, crucially, not to wait for permission from the Cabinet or the authorities – just do it.
He cited the Right to Challenge brought in by the Localism Act, which will see not-for-profit groups or groups of employees able to submit a challenge if they think they can run a better service. He galloped through examples, such as a community saving a swimming pool but locating other businesses within it, such as a GP surgery or school to create a health and wellbeing centre; opportunities from personalisation; a scheme being tried out in Windsor where someone can get Tesco clubcard points for doing a lot of volunteering; and creating new community currencies through Time Bank schemes.
We need to be helping the most vulnerable in our communities – those with severe depression, rape victims, veterans and their families, the new poor, young people, older people, and those who lack any support. Councillors should become champions of the people, agitators and co-producers of innovation.
Let’s all give ourselves permission – break free!
- Bill Taylor
Hampshire - going Digital: helping people who may be worried about the switch to digital TV
We were delighted to have Bill, Regional Manager for Digital UK, deliver a key-note address at our recent AGM.
Involved in the Digital switchover project from it’s commencement in 2006, Bill has retained his enthusiasm for what he variously describes as ‘the biggest single change to television since the arrival of colour 30 years ago’ and ‘the largest public information campaign in the UK since decimalisation.’ But Bill is still very much the pragmatist. He acknowledges that for most people switchover will be a straightforward process – either through upgrading equipment, adding a digital box, or re-tuning. But for some of the more vulnerable in the community this easy process may be accompanied by high levels of anxiety – and it is in recognition of this need that specific digital switchover programmes have been set up.
To date the process has gone well – and he confidently predicted that under the leadership of Community Action Hampshire, the Communities Programme and the Community Outreach Programme would again mobilise the voluntary sector in supporting those who need support in the Meridian 1 area.
View Bill Taylor's Presentation
Find out more about CAH's Digital Outreach work
Workshops at the Conference
Delegates to the Conference were offered a choice of three workshops:
Affordable Warmth
led by Ian Ayres of Groundwork Solent
- Increasing access to affordable warmth
- Voluntary and community sector in ideal position to recognise when a household is struggling or at risk
- Solutions: Local, national and new and future support
View Ian's Presentation
- At the Digital TV Switchover Workshop
Digital TV Switchover
led by Peter Hellawell and Lynda Owen-Hussey of CAH
Peter and Lynda are supporting Hampshire's local and voluntary organisations to ensure that they are aware of the Digital Switchover and what the changes mean for the communities and individuals they work with.
- At the Reaching a Wider Audience Workshop
Reaching a wider audience
led by Anna Potten of WACA
Anna's role is to support voluntary and community organisations to work more effectively with diverse communities and to embed equality and diversity into their working practices.
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