October was a month of reflection on the different events we attended, our website going live ( thanks to the persistance and perseverance of our wonderwoman Naomi), working on developing a monitoring and evaluation approach for our knowledge exchange work and reading our next round of research papers for publication in November ( to be covered in next months blog !)

We participated in a number of very different events during the month so I will give a brief outline and web links so that you can find out more:

UKES Evaluating the Third Sector was at Toynbee Hall and was packed with funders and organisations, Sally Cupitt from Charities Evaluation Services gave a really interesting presentation on their research ‘Accountability and Learning’ and we had group discussions on what the most important consideration should be for evaluation capacity building and learning organisations – leadership and learning cultures came out as one of the top. http://www.evaluation.org.uk

Off the Streets and Into Work (OSW) in partnership with 3xE (Ethical Enterprise and Employment) Network held their Dragons Den and event at Southwark Cathedral. This event gave an insight into the realities faced by social entrepreneurs in the homeless sector as well as a presentation on the Governments latest ‘Future Jobs Fund’. http://www.osw.org.uk/services/3xE.asp

Joseph Rowntree Foundation held an event at Central Hall Westminister on ‘What does community and family mean in the 21st Century ?’ as part of their ‘Adult Social Care – What needs to Change ?’ Seminars – with viewpoints being presented by independent consultants, Open University and the  David Brindle of the Guardian. The papers they presented informed a lively debate and raise some really interesting dilemmas that will need to be addressed now for the future of adult care. http://www.jrf.org.uk/work/workarea/better-life

Voices for Change and Black Training and Enterprise Group (BTEG) launched their new project ‘Strengthening the Voice of the Black Minority Ethnic Third Sector’ at the Rich Mix Centre in partnership with MENTER. The new project is funded by the Big Lottery BASIS program and The Commission for the Compact to improve collaboration and communication, increase access to policy making, increase awareness and use of the Compact and strengthen the relations between infrastructure organisations. http://www.voice4change-england.co.uk

There were two events on Personalisation:

one organised by Public Management and Policy Association (PMPA) with speakers from the Centre for Public Services Partnership, University of Birmingham, Queen Mary, University of London, and Chairman of the Commission on Personalisation. http://www.cipfa.org.uk/pmpa/index.cfm

The other by the Public Service Delivery Network (NCVO) with presentations from the National Care Forum, Voluntary Organisations Disability Group, National Centre for Independent Living and Southampton Centre for Independent living. You can download the presentations at: www.ncvo-vol.org.uk/personalisation