Following support from Basis Project Organisational Development Officer (ODO), Mani Thapa, on a Needs Assessment and Development Plan, Leeds Sudanese Community Association (LSCA) have raised almost £6,000 in new project funding.
Heather Nelson – Leeds Sudanese Community Association Development Worker
Before joining LSCA I had previously worked within the Voluntary Community and Faith Sector for over 20 years, so came with a variety of experience and expertise. I met with Mani Thapa and the management committee to discuss the immediate aims of the Association and then timetabled a programme with specific aims. This was also discussed and then agreed.
Two of the main project aims required money to be raised. I identified two funding streams which would support the two projects: the Luncheon Club – money secured from Leeds City Council Adult Services; and Wellbeing – money secured from the Leeds Primary Care Trust via a Healthy Living Grant.
The Luncheon Club had been identified by LSCA as a need within the community to address the feeling of isolation and seclusion that members of the community had expressed. It was agreed that it is a good opportunity for people to meet each other and socialise in a warm safe environment and discuss further needs of the community.
The Wellbeing Project is to encourage involvement and awareness of the following:
- Health issues which affect the community
- Alternative ways of preparing food which would encourage healthy eating for all the family
- Encouragement of physical exercise and recognising the impact it has on mental and physical wellbeing.
Free gym membership has been given to community members and I have contacted another VCF organisation that provides numerous sessions on food preparation within Leeds and circulated their information. I have also linked to Leeds NHS Primary Care Trust Health Trainers to support community members who need help on specific issues or want to make a lifestyle change.
However, getting funds is just the start – you have to be accountable for that money, and make sure it is spent wisely. In fact, the Basis Project helped us identify Financial Management as a skills deficit. So the new Treasurers was sent for training on Quick Books accounting and we’ve made all the accounting very clear so that budgets are under separate headings.
We at Leeds Sudanese Community Association intend to go from strength to strength. We aim to be an example of good practice and to encourage sharing of information and knowledge and to have an impact on policy makers to ensure true consultation and inclusion for the development and progress of RCOs within Leeds.
Joanna Rianga (Acting Chair)
Recruitment of a paid post was a crucial step for us. With three-year funding from the Big Lottery were really able to plan ahead. The truth is, however, that there’s so much work to do we really need a second paid worker – it’s too much for one person.
Being a trustee is a big commitment of time. We’re supposed to meet monthly but very often it’s weekly and, as Acting Chair, I get frequent emails from Heather to keep me informed.
William Boro (Trustee)
The Sudanese community started to grow in Leeds in the 1980s and then there was a second wave of people in 1991. Whatever happens back in Sudan we try not to let it affect us too much here. People from the North and South can mix together and get along.
As our organisation has grown, financial systems have become increasingly important. At first we just kept everything in our head, but now we have it all on paper and on the computer.
We also need to be strategic. There’s a real danger of taking on too much and being overwhelmed.
Mani Thapa, Basis Project ODO, Yorkshire and Humberside region
I met with the management committee of the Leeds Sudanese Community Association at the start of 2008 to explain what the Basis Project was all about and how we might be able to help. They’re an established group but I could see lots of ways in which Basis could be useful for them.
After the Suitability Assessment had been completed we worked on the Needs Assessment. That was finalised in an evening session with four members of the management committee. A number of needs were identified, particularly around developing the capacity of the committee and fundraising for specific projects.
I helped the committee with the recruitment and selection process of their new member of staff and, once Heather Nelson was in post, I worked with her on a Development Plan for the organisation which identified some specific goals and outcomes for the organisation.
Heather then set about identifying funders and submitting applications for the projects we had identified and, so far, almost £6,000 has been raised for keep fit classes and a luncheon club.
