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Blogging from Liverpool
Posted By Bubb’s blog
On 20 September 2010 - 3:03pm

At the Lib Dem conference!

This was the conference one used to get other members of one's team to do as a development opportunity. Now CEOs have to go. And it has all become so much more professional. They even have airport style security, which irritates the hell out of older liberal delegates! And police and men with wires coming out of their ears!

I arrived to Chair a fringe event organised by DEMOS on public service reform; where next after cuts?

A good Panel. Norman Lamb MP who I described as Nick Clegg's guru! Sally Hamwee, Baroness (every panel should have one) and well known Lib Dem Londoner, Nick Seddon for Reform, one of my favourite think tankers and Roy O'Shaunessy who runs a particularly brilliant charity, Careers Development Group, who are big in welfare to work.

A very full room - sitting on the floor even. And a good selection of refreshments and even wine. A lively debate which ended with one fervent Lib Dem ...more

From Liverpool
Posted By Craig Dearden-Phillips
On 20 September 2010 - 2:40pm

At Lib Dem conference where I am courtesy of Charities Aid Foundation and the Charities Commission, whose respective Question Time events I took part in yesterday and today.

The big talking point is the Big Society. What is it? How is it going to take shape? What are the implications for charities large and small. The sector seems to split into three camps. One is deeply cynical, adopting a Unite-like attitude. `What if no-one shows up to the Big Society?' scoffed a TUC delegate, unaware, it seems, of his own movement's drive for a more associcative and communitarian society
For this lot, it's all about mocking the idea that everything can be done with volunteers. Then they switch off.

The middle group, me included, feel energised and optimistic but a bit disenchanted with the rather simplistic and un-inclusive approach of the administration to date. This seems to paint the charity establishment as a fat, left-leaning, self-regarding force of ...more

The Papal Visit
Posted By Bubb’s blog
On 20 September 2010 - 2:19pm

I thought you might like a selection of the pictures from the Vigil and Benediction in Hyde Park (and also one from the dinner!).

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Implementing the formula for co-operation
Posted By UK Worker Co-operative
On 20 September 2010 - 10:17am

I'm always like posting guest blogs, here is a short article from Britta Werner, member of Unicorn Grocery and representative on the worker co-operative council.

In June 2010, I went to Plymouth to the Co-operative Congress. This was in the middle of the first Co-operative Fortnight. Prior to that, I have already heard something about the 'formula of cooperation'. I was a bit suspicious ...more

Lupita
Posted By Ben Metz blog
On 19 September 2010 - 10:16am

I’ve been working with Flavours of Mexico to establish a trade association to bring together all parts of the rapidly emerging Mexican market in the food and drink industry in the UK (more of which in a future post).  So when we went to check out Lupita, a new taqueria recently opened on Villiers street (hailing from the famous El Farolito in Mexico City) after our last development meeting I was anticipating a culinary treat.

And then walking in and seeing tacos al pastor, one of the highlights of Mexican food, I could hardly believe my eyes.  Finally – Mexican food done properly in London?

Alas it was not to be…  While Lupita makes an effort and goes some way to bringing authentic Mexican to London at the end of the day it just doesn’t make the grade.

The tacos al pastor were ...more

Out of the Blocks
Posted By Craig Dearden-Phillips
On 18 September 2010 - 6:06pm

Its official. I am in business. Stepping Out was born on Wednesday at 3.30pm. It was swaddled in an email from my accountant, saying that, despite a few difficulties, everything had gone OK. I held the Certificate of Incorporation in my hands and looked at it lovingly, muttering promises to myself about its bright future.

Of course, it wasn't this simple. `Stepping Out' is actually the name of a Community Interest Company in Wales so I couldn't be called that so, after a couple of iterations, came up with `Stepping Out Business Development Services Ltd'. Catch or what? Fortunately, I can trade as Stepping Out, as long as I put the longer name on my letterheards.

Oh, the letterheads. The logo. The website, the new bank account. The VAT registration. Finding a book-keeper. Getting insured. Writing terms and conditions. Three-year P & L and Cashflow. The 0845 number. All the stuff that is filling my life as I try to actually sell something, fulfil ...more

In Hyde Park
Posted By Bubb’s blog
On 18 September 2010 - 3:45pm

Blogging from Hyde Park,waiting for The Pope to arrive to conduct a Vigil and Benediction .Though as I am sitting in front of a large crowd of enthusiastic teenagers it feels more like Pop Concert than Vigil! At least the autumn sun is shining on my 4hour long wait!

The Dinner last night was particularly entertaining ,and very fruitful as over half the Cabinet were there. I was able to have word with IDS and encourage him to push for the investment we need to secure a major role for third sector organizations in delivering welfare to work reform. A long discussion with Eric Pickles on localism. I was making the point that we need to safeguard minorities who "neighbourhoods" may not approve of.Eric did say that this was an issue that worried him and suggested we talk further.

I had a very engaging chat with Nat Wei about our recent Blog exchange. And to be fair to him he said that the point he had made about the dangers of bureaucracy in charities he had applied to big ...more

Square deal
Posted By Ed Mayo's blog
On 18 September 2010 - 11:45am

I first met Matt in Harrogate when he was leading the statutory agency responsible for ‘capacity building’ across civil society. The agency is now on the way out, with all the cuts, and Matt, with all his knowledge and experience, is off to build the capacity of ResPublica, the eclectic and coop-friendly thinktank.

We met again in Trafalgar Square and he told me that it was his work over six years to get one side of the square pedestrianised. I think that is something that is a lovely achievement – practical, people-centred, democratic.

We are in times of upheaval, at least in terms of the welfare state, but one compass for what we support or challenge must surely rest on what it means for social and economic participation.

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The Pamela Positive: Filter Water for Money and Drinking
Posted By Living and Giving - Pamela Hawley's blog
On 17 September 2010 - 5:15pm

Kevin McGovern is an innovator, and his product is water.  He is bringing “cheaper water” to the poor.  Through his company, Water Initiative, he offers purifiers that clean the water—and are durable for an entire year.  While other procedures take energy and actually use some of the water to purify the water, 100% of the water coming out of his device can be used.

Kevin calls himself a “pro bono capitalist.”  His goal is to deliver a meaningful product which helps our communities and can also profit.  We thank you, Kevin, for your innovative contribution!

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Cameron on cuts
Posted By Bubb’s blog
On 17 September 2010 - 4:18pm

A great exchange in the Commons.

(Source- Third Sector )

The Prime Minister, David Cameron, urged local authorities not to do the "easy thing" by cutting money from voluntary organisations.

Cameron’s comments came in a reply to a question in the Commons from Julie Hilling, Labour MP for Bolton West, on Wednesday.

She asked what the Prime Minister would do to save groups such as Bolton Community and Voluntary Services, which has lost £89,000 of grants this year.

He replied: "We should say to every single council in the country: ‘When it comes to looking at and trimming your budgets, don't do the easy thing, which is to cut money to the voluntary bodies and organisations working in our communities. Look at your core costs. Look at how you can do more for less. Look at the value for money you get from working with the ...more