Transition is a strange process. It raises excitement, insecurity and some fear too. BD_Collective was established in 2019, at that time it was agreed that it should be a platform rather than an organisation. An environment where organisations could connect, develop meaningful partnership and start to tackle the challenges that residents in Barking & Dagenham face more effectively together. It’s been a fascinating journey – with a pandemic in the middle. We’re in the final year of the Council’s £100k infrastructure contract. It will be re-tendered next year and you have the opportunity to shape the future together. The BD_Collective Annual Review meeting on 1st November will be a great chance to explore this further. (see chart with key dates below).
It’s a strange season for me. I’m conscious that I’ve sat in the driving seat over these last 4 years and whilst I’ve no doubt I’ll still be involved, I won’t be driving! I’ve learned so much over this season, it’s been a transformative time for me personally and also for how I view the role of the social sector. The backdrop has been insane – a worldwide pandemic, government collapse and chaos. We are now left grappling with ever-growing complex issues such as social isolation and worsening mental health. Amongst all this, the decreased spending power of local authorities and the challenges on the health system may mean that there is a greater openness to doing things differently. This brings an opportunity for civil society to step up to the plate to shape creative, community-based solutions shaped by those who are most affected by the issues we are tackling; responsive networks that build support across neighbourhoods – making sure people have the help when they need it and for some maybe being the help for others. This is not Big Society revisited – it’s something radically different and essential for our society today.
Yet, my worry is that we, the social sector, are not ready or prepared to do something new. Some would say we have been ‘colonised’ by the state. Have we become the service providers, bidding for the next contract to deliver a service that has been determined by people other than those in receipt of that service? It’s not wrong as such and it is needed – but we’ll go down with the government-funded ship – we won’t survive if we stay in this. Yet, if we lift our heads up, listen to those who participate in those services and build equitable partnerships with our statutory colleagues – we might just be the ones to shape the future differently.
Anyway – this year will be focused on building on the work that’s been started through the Collective and ensuring we have an effective mechanism for the future social sector infrastructure. Who’s ready to pick up the baton next?
In the meantime – a couple of updates………..
BD_Collective is a network of networks. Networks were intended to be the place where organisations connected, built trust and shaped the activity of BD_Collective together. Some are working well and consortia are developing from there, however, others have struggled more. Ruth Robertson, from the secretariat team, is facilitating discussions with Collective members to develop a more effective way of growing the networks. You’ll hear more about that over the Autumn and again it’ll be so helpful to have your thoughts/input as we share the plan.
It’s great how much more communication is happening within the Discourse platform, yet we understand, that sometimes you just need to hear information in person. We’re going to host an Adults Forum and a Children & Young People’s Forum once a term over the next year to give organisations supporting either adults or children/young people to come together to hear what new opportunities are around. It will give statutory partners a chance to share what’s happening in their spaces too & explore funding consortia etc. The dates have been set for Autumn (see below).
We’re still trying to find the best way to communicate all that’s happening across the Collective. We ensure the tracker is always up to date (on Discourse) but do also understand it’s another thing for people to do to keep checking it. Here’s a visual summary I put together recently that gives a snapshot and you can find more detail in the activity tracker. Hope it’s helpful.
Further details and booking links
Adults Forum (for organisations supporting adults)
Tuesday 3rd October,10.30 – 11.45am at Hum Dum Restaurant, 15 London Rd, Barking IG11 8AA (you might fancy staying on to sample the culinary delights of the restaurant after – rates very reasonable).
Book here.
Children & Young People’s Forum (for organisations supporting children & young people)
Thursday 12th October, 10.30 – 11.45am at Hum Dum Restaurant, 15 London Rd, Barking IG11 8AA (you might fancy staying on to sample the culinary delights of the restaurant after – rates very reasonable).
Book here.
Together We Lead? 2: “Power doesn’t have to be a zero sum”
Thursday 12th October, 5.30 – 7.30pm at Three Sixty Workrooms, Ground Floor Creative Unit, 36-48 Cambridge Road, Barking, IG11 8NW.
Book here.
BD_Collective Annual review
Wednesday 1st November, 9.30am – 12.30pm at Ripple Centre, Ripple Rd, Barking IG11 7PB.
Book here.
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