Aston-Mansfield Community Involvement Unit

Address: Durning Hall Community Centre, Earlham Grove, Forest Gate, London E7 9AB
Telephone: 020 8519 2244 (switchboard)     020 8536 3825 (CIU Coordinator)
E-mail: ciuenquiries@aston-mansfield.org.uk
Website: www.aston-mansfield.org.uk

Primarily deliver services to - organisations

Aside from a small amount of community engagement work, the CIU works with voluntary and community organisations.

Areas of specialism:

The Community Involvement Unit is a team of specialists providing a comprehensive package of quality advice and information aimed at supporting and strengthening voluntary and community groups.

Extent of support to organisations:

• One to one support, mainly with small and new groups, on organisational development
  Fundraising advice and support including using Grantfinder and a quarterly ‘Fundwatch’ newsletter.Comprehensive Third Sector library and resource centre
• Production of Community Development Toolkit on CD-ROM
• Intensive support under the ‘Nexts Steps’ programme for developing medium-sized community groups
• Lead body for delivery in Newham of the Local Network Fund, a grants programme for groups working with young people up to 19 years old.
• Lead body for Training Exchange in Newham, the umbrella network of voluntary and community sector training & learning providers in Newham
• Monthly mailing to over 500 groups, available for local organisations to use at a minimal cost.
• Quarterly ‘Info’ newsletter
• Organising events including networking lunches and ‘Meet the Funders’ events
• Three shared Community Offices - at the Froud Centre in Manor Park, the Harold Road Centre in Upton Park and the East London Childcare Institute in Stratford.
• Production of the ‘Newham Directory of Religious Groups’
• Community research service, which can provide either tailored research projects for groups or end-of-project evaluations. This service is not free and groups need to contact the CIU to discuss their research needs.
• Occasional consultancy including management committee training
• Occasional community consultation events and activities with local residents

How support is delivered:

By appointment, referral and through events.

Number of groups seen in the last 12 months [to June 2006]:

Approximately 350 for capacity building, 530 for information.

Additional capacity to support more groups? Yes.

Number of staff who are involved in work specifically with voluntary and community groups
4 full-time, 4 part-time