It was a fun afternoon. There is some really impressive
work going on there. For example they have established a consortium of local
charities and social enterprises, called "One Hackney", to bid for
contracts in a "special purpose vehicle" (ugly name I know). It's an
example to other areas and ACEVO is keen to support more work in council areas
to develop such consortia. We were active with the Knowsley CVS, for example,
in establishing their consortium.
If as a sector we want to win more contracts to run
people-powered public services, we need to combine not compete. ACEVO has been
developing a much better relationship with the CVS movement and with NAVCA, and
it's a sign of that better working that Joe Irvin, who runs NAVCA, is one of my
Board members. So he tells me what to do. Well.....sort of.
They have developed a very strong relationship with a
progressive CCG on the health side, and work well with the council, despite
funding cuts. There are well over 2000 third sector bodies in Hackney so it's a
big sector in a diverse part of London. They need an entrepreneurial CVS and
that's what Jake leads.
And I managed to get to Hackney despite the tube strike.
It's been amusing to read all the scare stories in the London Evening Standard
("crush hour" for example). I have had no problems travelling around,
but then I realise that London has a brilliant overground train service, and you
can actually walk between tube stations. Indeed it's been good for my health as
I have been walking through the gorgeous Brockwell Park to take the train from
Herne Hill to St Pancras. So less whingeing and more walking!
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