Releasing the Potential: Delivery

Staff Team:

• Dave Nunns – VCAT Development Manager – with responsibility for overseeing the whole Releasing the Potential programme and leading on work streams 1 & 4 – improving voice and releasing civic potential. 0161 973 5471 dave@vcatrafford.org
• Craig Almond – VCAT Information and Development Worker with particular focus on aspects of communications, information and volunteering. 0161 973 5471 Craig@vcatrafford.org
• Lynsey Cottle – VCAT Development Worker with particular focus on small groups and voice development. 0161 962 7266 Lynsey@vcatrafford.org
• Heather Smith – VCAT Development Worker with particular focus on volunteering issues and work with children, young people and families’ groups. 0161 973 5741 Heather.Smith@vcatrafford.org
• Stuart Webster – BlueSCI Director with particular focus on releasing public service potential, developing capacity, commissioning support, asset transfer and social enterprise. 0161 912 4828 Stuart@bluesci.org.uk
• Aine Graven – Trafford Housing Trust Business Engagement Officer working with local businesses to increase the support offered to the local sector. 07834 517 395 Aine.Graven@traffordhousingtrust.co.uk

Partnership Board:

The Releasing the Potential Partnership is made up of 5 main partners, supported by 3 coopted organisations:

• BlueSCI - Social Enterprise that promotes social inclusion, wellbeing, arts and culture. Particular interest in areas such as volunteering and social enterprise development and have worked with Trafford Council to develop Participatory Budgeting in the Partington area.
• Trafford CVS and Volunteer Centre - Provides information and brokerage service to potential volunteers in Trafford. Maintains database of volunteering opportunities locally. Support to local groups working with volunteers. Marketing of volunteering. Developing volunteering opportunities. Supported volunteering
• Trafford Housing Trust - Major Registered Social Landlord in Traffordwith 9200 homes. Contributes to infrastructure via community budgets, youth work team and engagement teams working with tenants, community and Tenants and Resident’s Associations. Dedicated officer attracting Inward Investment into communities and community groups
• Voluntary & Community Action Trafford – The main generic infrastructure body in Trafford providing support and development to over 500 member organisations. Produces regular newsletters, website, info sheets, training, one-to-one advice, networks, forums, consortia development, meeting rooms. Small grants schemes.
• Volunteering Greater Manchester is a partnership project with Volunteer Centres, local volunteering services and diversity organisations. Its role includes: supporting volunteering infrastructure,  increasing the diversity of volunteers and sharing best practice.

Co-opted Partners

• Trafford College – major FE college in Trafford, with specific interests in areas such as neighbourhood and community learning, providing support to many people involved in running local voluntary and community groups.
• Trafford Community Leisure Trust - Operates major leisure facilities in Trafford, many used by local sports groups. Sport Trafford work with volunteers, coaches and clubs to develop the scope of the VCS Sports Sector. Works closely with Trafford Sports Council – umbrella groups for local sector. Online database of leisure activities www.go3trafford.co.uk
• Trafford Council – Local Authority with strategic interest in the sector as a whole, in addition Trafford Council provide funding, accommodation and other support to a large number of local groups.

As well as reporting directly to the Board of VCAT and more widely to the VCAT membership, the Releasing the Potential Board also reports to the Stronger Communities Board of the Trafford Partnership, in return the Stronger Communities Board will provide robust challenge to delivery plans, monitor progress, intervene where there is a potential for failure, celebrate achievements, provide knowledge, expertise and access to networks to enhance the outcomes of the programme.