AM3 Making Ripples: earning from community assets sfp2012
1. AM 3
Making Ripples: earning from
community assets
Chair: Lee Robinson, Sustainable Funding Officer, NCVO
National Council for Voluntary Organisations
Sustainable Funding Project
4. What £3m buys…
…20 months of speed learning
Office space for 10 organisations
Hot desk space for 30 new start-ups
Large hall with professional stage
3 modern, flexible meeting rooms
Bright & airy lounge areas to relax & network
6. How we developed the market
Bold with pricing
Sent a clear ‘quality’ message to the market
Consistent and transparent pricing
Market aggressively and unapologetically
Mixed use – community & private
Invest in the spaces on offer
7. Immediate benefits
New & improved services
Wider geographical reach
Access to new beneficiary groups
New skills and expertise
Stronger, united voice
More integrated or coordinated approach
8. Hard won benefits
Financial savings and better use of resources
Independence
Competitive advantage
Reduced duplication of service delivery
Greater capacity to replicate success
Mutual support between local organisations
9. Achievements
Completed fit-out & enhanced space
Established a thriving weekend market
Hosted the London Ambassadors
90% of serviced office rented
All tenants have seen increased footfall
10. Lessons learnt
Building spec. – never perfect, hindsight…
Facilities management is time-consuming
Maintaining a community spirit is key
Volunteers can be a huge asset
Creating ‘ownership’ by the local community
CVS as landlord – necessity to be firm
11. The future
Growing current market & creating new ones
Offer diverse packages to suit all occasions
Include & nurture the local community
Keeping the Centre dynamic & relevant
Our new ‘landlord’ role & relationship w. VCS