w w w . v o l u n t e e r d a c o r u m . o r g
SNAPSHOT 2013/14
Registered charity number 1088117
For full Directors’ Report and Financial Statements please visit
www.volunteerdacorum.org - or call 01442 247209
CHAIR’S REPORT
The theme for our 2014 AGM is Valuing the Past and Embracing our
Future. The history of any organisation is important because it
informs the future. Whilst the external environment changes and
internal adjustments have to be made, Volunteer Centre Dacorum
still has a strong value base of independence and a firm commitment
to both volunteers and charitable/community organisations in
Dacorum. As we embrace our future, our values and commitment
remain strong and focused. As we continue to help hundreds of
organisations and thousands of volunteers, we have to ensure
Volunteer Centre Dacorum remains professional, financially viable,
and continues to add value to our local community.
and Jeoff Colls. We thank all of them for their
commitment and dedication. Happily, we have
welcomed our new Chief Executive, Richard Pitts,
who, in his first few months, is already proving a
more than worthy appointee. He is ensuring our
organisation remains strong and reliable and one
that meets challenges with innovation and
enthusiasm. Richard is ensuring that we value the
past and embrace the future.
This is my final AGM as Chair of Volunteer Centre
The demand for our services continues and, as a charity, we are Dacorum – a position I have felt honoured to hold.
always on the look-out for new sources of income. In the current
Janice Cook (Chair of Trustees)
climate, this is challenging but with the help of our major funders and
supporters we will be able to sustain the level of service which is
needed in our community. Thanks to everyone who supports our VOLUNTEER CENTRE TEAM 2013-14
Trustees
organisation.
A big thank you to the highly committed and professional team of
staff and volunteers at The Roundhouse in Hemel Hempstead who
work very hard to help make our organisation such a great success.
And thanks to all our Trustees who give willingly of their time and
expertise to ensure effective governance as well as provide support
for Richard and his highly committed team.
Sadly, we have a few departures this year. From our staff team, we
have said goodbye to Liz King; from our Board, Lee Comer, Rita Leat
Janice Cook (Chair)
Malcolm Rogers (Finance Director)
Jeoff Colls
Lee Comer
Mike Short
Rita Leat
Rozina Ahmad
Shirley Jones
Ursuline Edwards Sutton
2013 / 2014 HEADLINES
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1,189 new volunteers were recruited for local organisations.
63% of these volunteers were female; 37% male (as 2012/13).
76% were recruited via the do-it website (56% in 2012/13)
36% of those recruited were under 25 years old (32% in 2012/13)
28% were unemployed (26% in 2012/13).
57% were White British: 23% from other ethnic backgrounds (local
BME population 8.2%). (20% did not state their background)
523 organisations were registered with “live” voluntary
opportunities (516 in 2012/13).
On average there were around 400 different types of voluntary
opportunities on offer to potential volunteers.
Over 300 new/revised voluntary opportunities were registered in
the course of the year.
52 organisations received individual help with volunteer
management issues of which 48 achieved the 6 point Promise
Cllr Allan Lawson (DBC representative)
Staff
Richard Pitts (Chief Executive) - from January 2014
Heather Allen MBE (Manager)- until December 2013
Sara Woodley (Project Co-ordinator)
Lorraine Rockminster (Project Coordinator)
Liz King (Volunteer Services Support Officer)
Angie McKnight (County Development Worker)
Volunteers
Barbara Reynolds-Sale
Ching Kwan
Lorraine Cole
Mike Young
Dee Dolling
Derek Peverill
Ray Brown
Rowena Eardley
Graham Nixon
Roy Woodward
Janet Husband
Sandy Beamish
Julie Darraugh
Shirley Jones
June Gill
Wendy Hodgins
Weekly “Introduction to Volunteering” sessions are run at the Kelly Linden
Centre facilitated by trained volunteers.
Displays in libraries and other venues in Hemel Hempstead,
Berkhamsted, Tring and Kings Langley throughout the year.
Volunteer Centre Dacorum is supported by
Dacorum Borough Council
w w w . v o l u n t e e r d a c o r u m . o r g
CHIEF EXECUTIVE’S REPORT
I am delighted to be writing my first annual report for
Volunteer Centre Dacorum following the retirement of
Heather Allen after 18 very successful years. Heather’s
contribution has been extraordinary and her continued
influence is reflected in this report as she was Manager
for the majority of this reporting period. I consider
myself very fortunate to be appointed into post for
such a well regarded organisation and look forward to
contributing to the continued success of the Centre. My
appreciation extends to our Chair, Dr Janice Cook who
has provided invaluable support that has been essential
in ensuring an effective transition period and enabled
the Centre to retain an excellent reputation.
Despite the challenges that face the voluntary and
community sectors we continue to deliver services at a
very high standard and it is important to recognise this
value and impact. Volunteers in particular play a key role
as they underpin the services of over 500 organisations.
From our own perspective our volunteers bring a wide
range of skills and talents to our organisation. Without
them we could not achieve what we do or maintain our
current level of service. Each volunteer has added their
own unique value and that is why we have named them
all in our report so that the contribution they make is
recognised. Equally, the Trustees of Volunteer Centre
Dacorum are integral to the success of the Centre and
they offer their guidance, experience and professional
skills on a voluntary basis to ensure that the Centre is
operating effectively and that the staff and volunteer
team are supported.
Partnerships features strongly in our annual reports and
this year is no exception. This includes maintaining
strong working relationships with Dacorum Borough
Council, civil society partners and the Volunteering
Herts network and membership of new initiatives such
as Dacortium, established as a consortium following 3
years of development work to help organisations
co-operate in responding to public tenders that might
HEADLINES
Income
Expenditure
Surplus/ (Deficit)
2012/2013
£153,569
£154,718
(£1,149)
2011/2012
£123,891
£125,013
(£1,122)
INCOME
Voluntary income
Generating funds
Core funding
Ad hoc funding
Investment income
TOTAL INCOME
£11,851
£7,808
£56,960
£76,499
£451
£153,569
£10,667
£3,384
£56,960
£51,405
£1,475
£123,891
EXPENDITURE
Charitable activities
Generating funds
Governance
TOTAL EXPENDITURE
£141,371
£7,395
£5,952
£154,718
£112,093
£7,050
£5,870
£125,013
otherwise be beyond them in terms of size and
complexity. In this way quality community services
can be delivered by organisations that have the local
knowledge to serve their communities effectively.
December 2013 saw the completion of NCVO’s
‘Volunteering for Stronger Communities’ project
supporting unemployed people to volunteer and help
improve their employability. The project was
evaluated by an independent team from Sheffield
Hallam University which concluded that there was "a
clear 'programme effect' with participants indicating
that VSC support made a difference to positive
outcomes experienced." This work linked closely with
our very important supported volunteering project,
led by Co-ordinator Sara Woodley and we continue to
support people to develop their skills.
The Valuing Volunteer Management 6 Point Promise
continues to gain momentum and we have seen a rise
in the number of organisations achieving from 37 to
52 with support from Liz King, Volunteer Services
Support Officer. We have also extended the delivery
of training to private care homes and the Cultural
Learning programme (CAD)
Marketing and Fundraising included taking part in
Connect Dacorum’s ‘Dragon’s Apprentice Challenge’
with young entrepreneurs from Cavendish School and
a business mentor from Dacorum Borough Council.
This raised £1300 for the Centre and we are very
grateful for the efforts of all concerned. Also, our
Marketing Co-ordinator Lorraine Rockminster is a well
established columnist with the Gazette & Herald
Express providing updates through a weekly column
The Volunteer Centre continues to play a key role in
the local community as we move into a new phase of
development and structure and as Chief Executive I
am looking forward to a positive future
Richard Pitts, Chief Executive
Summary of Financial Report
VCD's Reserves at the 31st March, 2014 were £83,616,
including £76,288 of Designated Reserves.
The categories of Designated Reserves were :Ÿ Restructuring / redundancy costs;
Ÿ Premises maintenance;
Ÿ ICT replacement costs – VCD is highly dependent on
its ICT equipment and systems;
An assessment of the financial cost of mitigating risks
recorded in the charity’s Risk Register.
The overall reserves target range for 2013/14 was
between £73,380 and £108,546, and the actual
reserves as at 31st March 2014 came within that
range at £83,616 (around £7,000 lower than the
median level of £90,963.
Malcolm Rogers, Finance Director