London Voluntary Service Council

LVSC re-launches its ‘Big Squeeze’ survey to map the recession impact on the capital’s voluntary and charitable organisations

Last year over 100 organisations responded to the Big Squeeze call for evidence on how the recession was affecting London’s Voluntary and Communtiy Sector (VCS). Survey findings helped our VCS demonstrate a strong increase in demand for services, a great deal of uncertainty for the future but also the many positive steps groups were already taking to prepare.

Many of the Big Squeeze conclusions and predictions - including the psychological and other ‘social recession’ effects – are now being widely reported. The survey and campaign helped raise the sector’s profile with government and others in the region - including London Councils, the Mayor, Government Office and London Funders.

This year’s survey revisits last year’s themes - but also seeks to map changes in public expenditure and their effect on the VCS ability to help the most marginalised and vulnerable Londoners through the recession.

Please give 10 minutes to completing the online survey and add your voice to the weight of evidence and impact we are building through the Big Squeeze. Simply complete as much as you can and we’re happy to anonymise any sensitive information you wish to share.

What’s in it for you?
The Big Squeeze can support you by:

• Collecting common evidence to help ensure London’s VCS are better-placed to cope with the recession;
• Providing LVSC staff and resources for your recession-related newsletters, briefings, meetings and events;
• Highlighting the recession’s impact on your organisation and beneficiaries and showcasing your work;
• Commissioning your case studies – the Big Squeeze needs illuminating evidence to help make the sector’s case for the strong role we can play in the recession.

To take the survey please visit www.lvsc.org.uk/bigsqueeze.
Don’t delay! The survey will close at the end of Februyary 2010.

For other information and enquiries, or if you are involved in othe recession campaigns/research in London and would like to work with us please contact bigsqueeze@lvsc.org.uk

For any other questions, advice and support around the Big Squeeze you can contact:

• Gethyn Williams: Policy and Networks Manager – 0203 349 8931
• Sandra van der Feen: Research and Capacity-building Development Officer – 0203 349 8936
• Chris Taylor: Policy Team Assistant

Read Third Sector's coverage of the Big Squeeze

LVSC Big Squeeze press release

VSF response to London Councils' consultation

Voluntary Sector Forum(VSF), the network of London Councils' commissioned voluntary and community sector organisations has responded to the initial phase of the London Councils' consultation on future commissioning priorities.

Download full response

Evaluation of year one of our Children and Young People's project

LVSC is currently looking to recruit a consultant to carry out the baseline evaluation of its Children and Young People's project. Deadline for submission of proposals is January 29th 2010.

CYP Evaluation Tender

LVSC: voluntary and community action for London

LVSC was set up in 1910 to “work for the benefit of the community in London” and for the “advancement of education, furtherance of health and relief of poverty”.

The recession, impending public spending cuts and a general election around the corner have brought into sharp relief the need for LVSC to properly reconnect with these objectives. 

Hard times are ahead for many of us and Londoners need voluntary and community sector services more than ever.  We believe that LVSC and the sector are up to the challenge.

To ensure that LVSC best meets the needs of Londoners, and the voluntary and community sector that serves them, we consulted on a new vision and strategic objectives for the next five years.

Read more about our new vision and strategy

Consulting the Capital: London Councils voluntary sector commissioning programme 2011-15