|
Year
|
Key Achievements
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1965
|
- Inaugural meeting of Leicester Council of Social Service (LCSS).
- Established Commonwealth Citizens Committee.
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1966
|
- Quarterly newsletter published.
- VAL News is now produced ten times a year in addition to occasional briefing papers.
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1967
|
- Voluntary Workers Bureau established.
- Originally staffed by volunteers now has five paid staff.
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1968
|
- Pre-retirement courses piloted. Pioneering in both retirement and income generating activity
- Income funds Retirement Planning Manager and admin costs
- Finally withdrew from this provision in 2000.
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1969
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- English language teaching Scheme begins
- Pioneering initiative now absorbed in statutory provision as ESOL courses
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1970
|
- Citizens Advice Bureau reverts to independent status - formerly a standing committee
- CAB lost contract for advice services from City Council in 2001, service now delivered by Leicester Law Centre
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|
1972
|
- First Voluntary Organisations Directory produced
- There are now over 700 groups on VAL's database.
- An up to date Directory is regularly produced and includes name, address, contact person, brief description and a summary under key activity headings
|
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1973
|
- Home-Start (Leicester) begins. As a blueprint Home-Start (Leicester) has inspired both international and national network spanning 130 schemes. The head office of Home-Start UK is still in Leicester.
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|
1974
|
- Name change to Leicester Council for Voluntary Service (LCVS)
- Re-location to 32 De Montfort Street
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|
1975
|
- Social Work Student Training Unit established. Developed in order to inform and improve community development and social work practice.
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|
1976
|
- LCVS gets matched funding from both Councils. We are now on an Agency Agreement with a three-year rolling programme of funding.
- 1995 year sees the second review before unitary status for Leicester City.
- In 2003 we operate under a series of contracts and agreements with statutory funders. We have 25 funding streams.
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|
1977
|
- The Wolfendon Report defines important role of intermediary bodies like VAL
- Government announces Leicester City designated for Inner Area Programme (IAP).
- The diversity and vibrancy of Leicester's voluntary sector is in part a result of IAP monies
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|
1978
|
- lAP Development Officer post initiated There have been five post holders -
- Rachel Carmichael - became Director of LCVS - went on to LAVA now retired from paid work but still an active volunteer.
- Tony Holden - now works at Crime Concern
- Richard Thumpston - continues to be involved in Leicester Spokes
- Joe Allen - went to Urban Policies County Council and also became a City Councillor, now chair of regional lottery board
- Vandna Gohil - became Deputy Director of VAL, then England development officer for NLCB, now at FutureBuilders.
|
|
1979
|
- Goldhill Adventure Playground becomes independent.
- There are now five adventure playgrounds in the City and an active Play Council with twenty play projects in the city.
- SOFA becomes established under our ‘wing'
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|
1980
|
- West End Community Project (WECP) receives funding. It continued to provide local community with resources and assisted in community development for 20 years.
- Baby Gear opens as a sheltered workshop repairing essential baby equipment initially a project sun by LCVS.
|
|
1981
|
- Post of Financial Adviser to Voluntary Organisations established
- Changing environment has led to post now re-titled Development Officer (Finance & Fund-raising). There have been two post holders, Ann Corless and Denny Wehner who retired in October 2003
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|
1982
|
- West End Community Project and Home-Start Leicester become independent
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|
1983
|
- Inner City Unit established comprising the IAP Development Officer, Finance Adviser, and administrator.
- The Unit has since been incorporated into the Organisations Development Team
- A Procedural Manual has been devised to inform Organisations Development Team practice
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|
1984
|
- Personnel Adviser to Voluntary Organisations established. Changing environment has lead to post now re-titled to Personnel & Training.
- SOFA and Baby Gear become independent
- SOFA today is still vital to many people on low incomes with over 100 referral agencies.
- Baby Gear continues to provide a vital service.
|
|
1985
|
- Braunstone Employment Project becomes independent
- It has now been overtaken by the Braunstone Community Association project "Braunstone Works".
|
|
1986
|
- Business Links Project established. A vital resource to many voluntary organisations in need of furniture and equipment
- Now superceded by Leicestershire Cares
|
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1987
|
- Mental Handicap Information & Sitting Service - handed to Mencap.
- Leicester Voluntary Accountancy Trust established.
|
|
1988
|
- Asian Carers Project produces video in community languages.
- To build on the success of this a Joint Finance Carers Project established.
|
|
1989
|
- Leicester Community Health Project (LCHP) launches city-wide remit. Expansion from two to five paid staff.
- Community Work Training Unit becomes independent - joins Community Development Foundation
|
|
1990
|
- LCVS becomes Voluntary Action Leicester (VAL).
- In 2002 we adopted a new corporate logo and identity to reflect the more proactive nature of working practice
|
|
1991
|
- LCHP becomes independent. Relocates to Granby Street
- Leicester Volunteer Bureau becomes independent
|
|
1992
|
- VAL engages voluntary groups in City Challenge and Safer Cities. Leicester is successful in winning £37 m over five years and £400k over three years respectively. Voluntary sector benefits include - Bhagini Women's Centre multi-purpose building (Narborough Road) and Mary Seacole Project (St Matthew's).
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1993
|
- VAL relocates to Market Place. New city centre offices. Fully accessible and has training/meeting room and Information/Resources Room.
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1994
|
- VAL launches NESSE (Network Exchange Skills Sharing Experience) training accreditation programme. In response to accrediting voluntary management committee experience, VAL's training programme (28 courses) is accredited through Leicester Open College Network
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1995
|
- Celebration of VAL's 30th anniversary at De Montfort Hall.
- Helped Leicester groups raise £1.1 million from the first round of National Lottery Charity Board distribution.
- Carers of Leicestershire Action & Support Project (CLASP) goes independent. Now has seven paid staff.
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1996
|
- Held Charity Fair foe voluntary and community groups in City.
- VAL secured Investor in People status.
- Hosted Leicester Centre for Integrated Iiving to support its start up.
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1997
|
- Leicester became a Unitary Authority, half of VAL's funding transferred from county
- VAL appointed new BME Development Officer
- VAL funded to provide Joint Planning support in Health and Social care policy.
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|
1998
|
- VAL involved in development of new Vision for Leicester
- Created new post to work with new and smaller groups
- VAL staff member elected as Vice Chair of East Midlands Voluntary Sector Forum.
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