Statement of Corporate Social Responsibility


Ethos
The underpinning ethos is rooted in NCVS' commitment to social justice, cultural diversity, and social and economic inclusion.

This commitment shapes the priorities and direction of the organisation as well as its day to day activities. In providing support and services to local groups we prioritise those groups working with those individuals and communities who are most disadvantaged and excluded. In our services that directly support individuals, we also focus most of our resources into supporting individuals who are socially or economically excluded, and have developed a range of interconnected services to achieve this. For example many individual volunteers who we support not only make a significant contribution to the community, but also gain valuable skills, experience and confidence because of their voluntary activities.

Some use the experience and skills they gain, to move into training and employment. For others it is a means of overcoming social isolation, making friends, combating loneliness, meeting their own needs in helping others etc.

In Nottingham's many disadvantaged neighbourhoods, the benefits of volunteering activity goes beyond building social capital at an individual level to that of strengthening and building communities. We passionately believe that the more the true potential of the community and voluntary sector can be realised, and the more people who can be encouraged to participate, the stronger our society will be.

Contribution to Nottingham
Our research shows that the Voluntary Sector in Nottingham makes not only a major contribution to people's lives and welfare but it provides a direct contribution of some £120 million to the City's economy. The research identified that the economic value of time contributed by volunteers has a value equivalent to a further £120 million.

Equality and Diversity
One of our stated aims is a strong commitment to equality and diversity. NCVS continues to work according to its Ethical Values Statement and most importantly the Action Plan which ensures that actions follow words, and this year we continued with equality and diversity performance indicators in our Service Delivery Plans. There is still much work to do, in particular around our mechanisms for collecting quantitative and qualitative data, but we are committed to improving these areas over the coming years. We now have a rolling awareness training programme in place in which all new staff are required to participate.

Accessibility
NCVS is committed to providing full accessibility to its services, covering both its physical working environment and its information services. We have created an accessibility plan and regularly check to see that it is effective.

Health and Safety
NCVS actively seeks to ensure a safe and healthy working environment for its staff, volunteers and visitors. NCVS minimises hazards and risks through active monitoring and appropriate action.

Environmental Awareness
NCVS is committed to minimising the impact of all its activities on the environment through: responsible procurement policies, energy efficiency and conservation, waste reduction, reuse and recycling, minimum impact modes of transportation and the monitoring of its activities through the 'Green Working Group'.

Human Resources
The Trustees recognise the importance of both employees and volunteers to NCVS' success and future development and are committed to an environment that will attract and motivate them. Salaries and benefits for employees are linked to the public sector and we have developed a job evaluation scheme to assess new and changing posts.

The Union Recognition Agreement we developed with Unison has proved beneficial for NCVS and its staff. We now have a process in place that is able to pick up developing issues and concerns early on and deal with them, and a formal mechanism to review terms and conditions and to ensure that we are up to date with current legislation and good practice. We have also employed a personnel coordinator to support this area of work.

We have a range of formal and informal mechanisms to ensure employees and volunteers are kept informed on developments and are asked to contribute to improving services. In the last year such consultation has produced a significant number of development and cost saving ideas, of which one in particular, the Green Group, has had a beneficial impact in every part of NCVS. The Trustees believe that the employees and volunteers should be and are passionately involved in NCVS' many and varied activities.

Community Activities
NCVS and its staff are committed to community involvement, supporting other organisations events and activities both on a corporate and an individual level. NCVS publicises community activities and encourages both staff and volunteers to participate in the wider voluntary sector. Several of our staff volunteer in the projects we run.