Policy and evidence news

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• Dementia 2013: the hidden voice of loneliness

  May 23rd

  This report from Alzheimer’s Society looks at the quality of life for people with dementia and highlights befriending as a key priority to reduce loneliness

• Measuring national well-being in older people’s neighbourhoods

  April 15th

  Those who agreed that local friendships and associations meant a lot to them increased with age from 64% of those aged 50 to 54 to over 80% of those aged 70 and over

• Locality competition looks for best examples of peer-to-peer learning

  April 15th

  Application deadline is 5pm, 30 April 2013

• Organisations working with offenders, can access re-offending data through the Justice Data Lab

  April 9th

  Will allow charities to enter details of the people they work with and receive information about how the cohort compares with a control group taken from the national database

• How mentoring contributes to widening participation of students in higher education – read the findings of an interim report to government

  March 12th

  Interim report by the Higher Education Funding Council for England and the Office for Fair Access

• MBF’s response to the ‘Transforming Rehabilitation’ consultation

  March 11th

  Read the recommendations made by MBF to this government consultation paper which outlines radical proposals to offender management in the future

• Keele University to research mentoring for women in prisons and the community

  March 8th

  The research will last for 22 months and investigate the ‘Youth in Focus – Sisters Project’

• Derbyshire Trusted Befriending Network launches with quality accreditation at its heart

  February 19th

  New model of a trusted befriending network launches across Derbyshire

• SSAFA pilots volunteering mentoring service to support transition from military to civilian life

  February 18th

  Read interim evaluation – full report due March 2013

• Potential opportunities for organisations delivering mentoring and befriending services to offenders

  January 22nd

  The Ministry of Justice has recently announced radical plans which will reform the way in which offenders are managed – we call on mentoring services to respond to their consultation by 22 February 2013

• Interview with Clinks director sees call for workable payment by results for mentoring within criminal justice

  December 18th

  Head of Clinks, the membership body for criminal justice charities speaks out re government’s latest payment by results announcement in relation to mentoring

• The Charity Awards 2013 now open for entries to celebrate inspirational work

  December 11th

  They recognise and celebrate the inspirational work of UK charities and share best practice and learning across the sector

• How mentoring initiatives are supporting Government measures to end youth gang violence

  December 7th

  Report highlights acheivements and outlines future work in this area

• Mentoring interview highlights the benefits of pairing recently released offenders with mentors

  December 3rd

  This Catch22 interview was featured in The Guardian on 23 November 2012

• Every prisoner released should have a mentor announces Justice Secretary

  November 20th

  Chris Grayling has set out plans for a major extension of mentoring provided by voluntary groups and private companies on a payment-by-results basis

• The Dementia Friends programme launches as progress report on Dementia Challenge released

  November 19th

  Prime Minister launches scheme led by the Alzheimers Society

• How volunteering contributes towards active ageing and solidarity between generations – European report recommends mentoring and befriending

  November 19th

  MBF supplied evidence for the report and attended a focus group to discuss final draft of report

• Healthwatch England launches as new consumer champion for health and social care

  October 22nd

  New body will work closely with local Healthwatch organisations due to be set up in April 2013

• Government sets up review into leadership and skills in the voluntary sector

  October 19th

  Dame Mary Marsh has been appointed to review skills in the voluntary sector

• Government approach commits to working together to empower disabled people

  September 20th

  Principles outlined in Government’s future work in supporting disabled people to realise their aspirations, promote a fair and equal society and create more inclusive communities

• Adult Autism Strategy: progress in improving access to support and services

  September 20th

  Better access to buddying and mentoring achieved

• After the riots final report recommends mentoring

  August 15th

  Find out more about the recommendations of After the riots: The final report of the Riots Communities and Victims Panel

• New research to explore relationships in an ageing society and specifically those involving low intensity support such as befriending

  August 14th

  JRF calls for research proposals and the deadline for submitting applications is Monday 8 October 2012

• Feature your project evaluation in our next e-bulletin and on our website?

  August 12th

  Help us build the evidence base for mentoring and befriending provision

• Report shows how volunteers are crucial to building community connections – includes mentoring examples

  August 9th

  How volunteering – including mentoring and befriending – can improve people’s health and well-being

• Mental health framework sets out what local organisations can do to improve outcomes

  August 2nd

  Use the framework as supporting evidence to promote your mentoring and befriending service to primary care providers and others involved in improving mental health and well-being

• Social workers should use befriending to prevent and reduce social isolation

  July 16th

  Find out more about the Department of Health: Care and support White Paper and and how it is encouraging the use of peer support networks and befriending schemes

• Latest support and research to help tackle bullying in schools

  June 20th

  Find out more about a recent Ofsted report and new cyberbullying research collection

• NCVO publish report on perceptions and use of quality standards in the voluntary sector

  June 20th

  NCVO publishes report on Quality Standards within the Voluntary and Community sector.

• Refugee week 18-24 June 2012 – events in your area?

  June 18th

  Find out about more about events in your area

• Supporting life’s journeys celebration and finale event

  June 12th

  Yorkshire Mentoring Forum invites you to join them for the celebration and finale event of ‘Supporting Life’s Journey – Transitions’.

• TimeBank: Mentoring – how does it help?

  May 21st

  Hear what young people suffering from mental illness say about their experience of mentoring from the external evaluation by Órla Cronin Research of the charity’s Back to Life project.

• JRF research on aspirations, attitudes and behaviour in closing the educational attainment gap includes focus on mentoring

  May 21st

  Recommends further development of interventions such as mentoring to be trialled alongside evaluations of effectiveness

• 100,000 mentors to visit former schools to help improve employment prospects

  April 23rd

  Read the full article in ‘Children and Young People Now’, 17 April 2012

• Understanding Society: research findings into social support

  April 16th

  Longitudinal research helping us to understand pressing social issues

• Health and wellbeing boards – system leaders or talking shops? Read latest report from King’s Fund

  April 13th

  The King’s Fund releases report with latest findings and case studies on development

• Latest views on the Budget’s impact on the voluntary sector

  March 22nd

  Find out the latest views on how latest budget will impact on the voluntary sector

• Strategy for social justice launched by government with a focus on early intervention

  March 19th

  Mentoring and befriending activities are well positioned to support the implementation of this strategy

• BIG considers the value of quality standards… help influence them and raise awareness of APS

  March 14th

  Calling all APS approved and working towards projects, please fill in this short survey and increase the profile of APS and mentoring and befriending

• Research programme into neighbourhood approaches to loneliness by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation

  March 13th

  Local residents look to find solutions to loneliness through this community-based action research programme

• Survey for charity employees on satisfaction with their workplace

  March 12th

  By completing the survey you can be entered into a prize draw for free coaching sessions

• Consultation on dignity in care for older people in hospitals and care homes – respond by 27 March

  March 11th

  Highlight the benefits of mentoring and befriending within this health and social care consultation

• A Netherlands befriending project – find out more about Humanitas Tandem

  February 22nd

  How a Netherlands-based befriending project helps prevent growing problem of social isolation

• What support needs will you require in the future?

  February 22nd

  Give your views to the Big Lottery Fund (BIG) on the future of capacity building funding

• Mentoring programmes see 11% increase in young people wanting to go to university

  February 21st

  Report found that raised aspirations and improved ‘soft skills’ for mentors and mentees

• Peer mentoring can support mental health of looked after young people

  February 20th

  Report from YoungMinds makes wide range of recommendations

• One in 13 school children have experienced cyberbullying research claims – how can mentoring help?

  February 15th

  Find out more and read about MBF’s support to set up peer mentoring anti-bullying programmes in schools

• New Employer Supported Volunteering resources and guides

  February 3rd

  Volunteer England have developed free resources to support projects to partner with business

• Mentoring siblings of gang members – learning from an evaluation

  January 25th

  Read this journal article that summarises research and highlights important issues

• Poll finds 85% support provision of mentors to young people in custody

  January 25th

  CSJ report on youth justice encourages promotion of mentoring

• Clinks launches volunteering evaluation project

  January 20th

  Sign up to the Clinks Network for Voluntary and Community Sector organisations working in the Criminal Justice System

• New payment by results scheme to help troubled families move into employment

  January 9th

  Government aims to help families overcome barriers to employment

• Big Society doesn’t do enough to help ‘little society’ says Committee report

  December 16th

  Recommendations include creating a Big Society Minister

• London’s Calling: young Londoners, social mobility and access to Higher Education

  December 14th

  Benefits of mentoring included in report

• Links between care, offending and custody and how mentoring can help

  December 14th

  Research outlines a 7 point plan to protect against offending – and includes mentoring

• Mentoring highlighted as successful strategy to re-engage NEET young people

  December 13th

   C4EO publishes rapid review of evidence

• Update on the Criminal Records review and the Protection of Freedoms Bill

  December 13th

  Bill is due to become law in May 2012

• Tackling homophobia and transphobia in settings supporting young people

  December 12th

  Use report findings to push for more resources in this area

• New strategy to enable disabled people to fulfil their potential: disabled people and organisations invited to respond

  December 6th

  Does mentoring and befriending have a part to play? Respond by 9 March 2012

• New research shows what older people with high support needs value

  December 5th

  Research highlights key messages around social, psychological and physical well-being

• The Localism Act receives royal assent and transfers power back to local people

  November 17th

  Received Royal Assent on 16 November

• Consultation on national measures to monitor well-being

  November 17th

  Views wanted until 23 January 2012

• Seven strategies to prevent risky behaviour includes supportive relationships with caring adults

  November 8th

  Research briefing from USA states that those who receive mentoring are more likely to succeed

• ‘After the riots’ report views mentoring as crucial role for voluntary sector

  November 8th

  Recommendations following the NCVO ‘Renew and Review’ meeting which MBF attended

• Latest evidence in how the sector is progressing with the delivery of personal budgets

  November 4th

  Research suggests action is needed in a number of areas

• The Ripple Effect – evidence emphasising the importance of voluntary sector work with children and young people

  November 4th

  Use this evidence to emphasise the importance of your work with children and young people

• Major conference on health and social care from Voluntary Sector Strategic Partners at Department of Health

  October 31st

  Taking place on Monday 21 November in London – some bursaries available

• Cut and dried? What’s the real impact of the government cuts to the UK voluntary and community sector?

  October 18th

  Examining the impact of the government cuts on the sector.

• Social action for health and well-being – Department of Health publishes its strategic vision for volunteering

  October 18th

    The Department is looking for people who will pick up and champion this agenda in their own locality

• Latest on Community Budget pilots which will test how local services can be better designed

  October 18th

  Aim is to create neighbourhood-level Community Budgets for services that are co-designed with local residents

• New website pulls together research and evidence on voluntary sector subjects

  October 17th

  MBF’s free reports are included to profile evidence base for mentoring and befriending

• Nick Hurd sends open letter to voluntary sector summarising government priorities and initiatives

  October 17th

  Acknowledges challenging environment alongside new opportunities

• Befriending decreases loneliness and social isolation says SCIE research briefing on preventive care

  October 17th

  Finds that social isolation and loneliness impact upon quality of life and increase use of health and social care services

• First community organisers begin training in 11 communities across England

  October 11th

  Keep up-to-date on the Locality website

• Peer mentoring project to support mental health in later life releases report highlighting benefits

  October 10th

  Many participants made significant changes in their lives with a reduction in mental health problems seen for both mentors and mentees

• GPs should refer those with postnatal depression to befriending and support schemes says new research

  October 3rd

   The ‘social prescribing’ of practical help and support can make a real difference to families

• A chance to review and renew following the August disturbances

  September 22nd

  How can the voluntary and community sector help to resolve and support the challenge left following the rioting and looting in some areas of the UK?

• Latest on Health and Wellbeing Boards – National Learning Network

  September 13th

  Themes, approach and proposed membership

• Equality Act 2010: What do I need to know?

  September 13th

  A series of guides setting out what the changes mean for service providers

• Being an older carer is devastating for health new report claims

  September 12th

  Effective methods of promoting well-being and low cost preventative services are called for

• National inquiry into adult literacy recommends training of volunteer buddies and mentors – read the report from NIACE

  September 9th

  Read the report’s full analysis, findings and detailed recommendations

• Not enough capital? Exploring education and employment progression in FE through mentoring

  September 6th

  Research looks at how civil society organisations can support young people through mentoring

• BNS and University of Edinburgh befriending research – 100 projects needed to take part

  September 6th

  Interested?  Express your interest today

• Big Society Bank renamed

  August 30th

  Financial institution renamed as Big Society Capital

• How can schools deal with bullying of children with special educational needs

  August 30th

  A project looking at research, school responses and examples of good practice - including buddying

• Disturbances in cities across England – join our discussion thread

  August 11th

  An opportunity for mentoring and befriending projects to come together and discuss the implications of what has happened

• Are you a chief executive? Vote for mentoring charity, Chance UK, in Third Sector’s annual awards

  August 4th

  Britain’s Most Admired Charities awards is voted for by chief executives of charities, voluntary organisations and social enterprises

• The Community Organisers programme is looking for host organisations

  July 29th

  Can your project play a part?

• Mentoring to increase participation in higher education is recommended to government

  July 26th

  Simon Hughes’ independent report on access to education is published

• £10 million fund for civil society organisations to develop skills and win more public service contracts

  July 26th

  Open letter from Nick Hurd outlines plans

• Lessons learned from youth-led intergenerational initiatives

  July 14th

  Beth Johnson Foundation evaluation of eight intergenerational projects

• Report on the mental health of BME children identifies lack of role models

  July 11th

  Highlights lack of role models and peer support as barrier to achievement and employment

• Review calls for befriending and peer support for families bereaved by homicide

  July 7th

  Victims’ Commissioner calls for a new law to ensure families receive an integrated package of support

• Building the case for early action and prevention in social care

  July 5th

  MBF calls for investment in quality services following release of two national reports which recognise the benefits of befriending and mentoring

• Mentoring project honoured in The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service

  June 27th

  The awards recognise the valuable services that people deliver to their local communities

• Give & Gain Day is this Friday – make your employee mentoring and befriending volunteering count

  June 22nd

  Give & Gain Day is the UK’s national day for employee volunteering

• CEO of Worcestershire charity Mentor Link receives an MBE

  June 16th

  Andrea Maddocks has been awarded for services to young people in schools

• Changes to health – key recommendations put to government as listening exercise ends

  June 15th

  NHS Future Forum publishes report from national consultation

• Big Society Bank gets go-ahead as government endorses proposals

  May 31st

  Will champion the social investment sector to the public, stakeholders and investors

• Active citizenship in prison: report highlights peer mentoring potential for prisoners

  May 31st

  Prison Reform Trust makes number of recommendations

• Research into Intensive Intervention Programme for young people and families recommends peer mentors

  May 27th

  Evaluation found that programme offers good value for money

• Giving White Paper proposes new funding, models and incentives for people to give more time and money to charity

  May 24th

  Portable CRB checks, local infrastructure and social action funding, community time credits – some of the new ideas recommended

• Government to develop stronger links between learning in prisons and employability

  May 20th

  Continued support for role of mentoring in offering employment route for offenders

• Mental health service transitions for young people

  May 19th

  Research shows mentoring may be needed

• Children in care report highlights need for more parental support

  May 18th

  47% of children surveyed wanted someone to listen to and support them

• Big Society Commission publishes report

  May 18th

  Recommends closer partnership between government and voluntary sector, a second rollout of the Transition Fund and incentives to encourage employee volunteering

• Valuing the socio-economic contribution of older people

  May 17th

  Hidden value of older people’s volunteering is £10 billion per year

• Befriending can improve quality of life at low cost

  May 17th

  Says study on mental health prevention

• Peer mentoring support for drug users in Sefton

  May 17th

  Read this article in ‘Drink and Drugs News’, April 2011

• Law Commission report recommends adult social care law reform

  May 17th

  Recommends that vulnerable people should be clear about their legal rights to care and support services

• Telebefriending for people with sight loss – new research paper assesses the impact

  April 20th

  A research paper from the Thomas Pocklington Trust assesses the impact of telebefriending schemes, shows how they can be most effective and sets out challenges for their future development

• Campaign to End Loneliness for older people – service providers needed to fill in their survey

  April 19th

  Can you spare a few minutes to help end loneliness in older people? If so, please complete this survey for anyone who provides services to older people

• Early Action Taskforce forms

  April 15th

  Call for examples of projects that illustrate an ‘early action’ approach

• Benefits of mentoring mentioned in paper exploring social networks role in addressing poverty

  March 28th

  The paper explains what social networks are and explores how they can help address poverty

• Youth mentoring questionnaire: can you help with this research project?

  March 27th

  Research into youth mentoring seeks programme co-ordinators and those working directly with young people

• Report suggests mentors within sports projects can divert young people away from crime

  March 22nd

  New report shows that sport can be a powerful tool for tackling crime and anti-social behaviour and that it can be more cost-effective than traditional approaches

• No Fixed Abode report calls for mentoring for teenagers leaving custody

  March 21st

  A report published by Barnardos explores the housing struggle facing young people leaving custody in England

• Chance UK in top 10% of effective practice

  February 18th

  “Chance UK make a real difference in improving outcomes for children, young people and their families,” says C4EO

• Counselling and mentoring shown to have positive impacts for vulnerable young people

  February 18th

  Department for Education research report

• Why children get involved in gangs…

  February 10th

  Mentoring is one solution offered in research study

• Home care and support for people with dementia

  February 10th

  Report highlights loss of befriending once personal care needs are required

• Tackling knife crime together

  February 10th

  Brooke Kinsella’s anti-knife crime report includes mentoring successes

• Learning from the ‘Generations Together’ programme

  February 9th

  Evaluation report published

• Mentoring and befriending in new mental health strategy

  February 4th

  Befriending to prevent loneliness could reduce health service use

• New report states that young carers value peer support

  January 19th

  Read the report’s summary and policy recommendations

• Free legal advice from volunteer lawyers

  January 17th

  For small charities, not for profit, voluntary and community organisations and social enterprises

• Free online giving scheme donates surplus goods from businesses

  January 17th

  Register your charity today

• Young runaways could benefit from peer mentoring says research

  January 14th

  Report highlights three key recommendations

• Government and voluntary sector agree new Compact

  January 12th

  Guidance on partnership working outlined

• Responding to the ‘Big Society’

  December 22nd

  Feedback from our policy workshop

• A user-centred approach to problem drug use

  December 14th

  Peer support useful at all levels of recovery

• Survey of prison youth states a mentor would stop re-offending

  December 13th

  1000 young men and women aged 15-18 took part in HM Inspectorate of Prisons report

• Leave No Veteran Behind report

  December 13th

  Mentoring with armed forces veterans in prison shows success rate in reducing re-offending

• End of life care and befriending

  December 13th

  ‘Dying for Change’ report recommends use of volunteer befrienders

• Guardian Jobs’ dedicated volunteering recruitment section launched

  December 6th

  Free volunteer advertising

• Independent Review reports on strategy to raise children’s life chances

  December 3rd

  Government commissioned report has two overarching recommendations

• New Public Health strategy

  December 3rd

  Befriending is one approach suggested for local authority grant funding

• 40,000-strong network of business mentors announced

  November 25th

  Vince Cable made the announcement at the launch of Global Entrepreneurship Week and called on more businesses to join up – link

• Big Society in Action Awards announced

  November 24th

  Prime Minister hopes to illustrate the ‘big society in action’ with monthly awards to organisations that show they are participating

• Check progress of Government in new departmental business plans

  November 11th

  Each department’s plans for the next four years published

• A new Government employment programme for disabled people launches

  November 11th

  ‘Work Choice’ to support around 23,000 severely disabled people each year

• Read the Government’s open letter to civil society organisations following the Comprehensive Spending Review

  November 11th

  Opportunities and challenges for charities, social enterprises and voluntary and community groups outlined

• Canadian research finds telephone based peer support effective in preventing postnatal depression

  November 11th

  80% were satisfied and would recommend peer support to a friend