Issue details

The Greater Manchester Capacity and Capability Fund has two themes of the volunteering element. The first theme is centred around empowering victims to obtain volunteering opportunities within or outside of the sector to support their recovery and the second is increase volunteering capacity within the VCSE organisation. This will not only create a valuable learning platform for volunteers but also allow them to contribute to organisation’s mission and aims. By working in such a critical and sensitive area, volunteers can gain significant experience and develop a unique set of skills which can assist in improving the calibre, experience and expertise of individuals working within the victims' support sector.

It is acknowledged that there is a significant strain that victims' service organisations are currently experiencing. This strain is largely due to the escalating cost of living expenses, which has been driven and exacerbated by inflation which has consistently remained above average over the past two years. Due to the escalating cost of living expenses, victims' face financial pressure that has put a burden on their resources which could potentially impact the quality and extent of the support and opportunities they can receive. In response to this strain, this priority funding theme has been designed to provide financial relief to victims. Funding can be utilised to help victims manage their expenses, thereby allaying some of the financial pressure they are under and alleviating the fear of an impact on the quality of the support and opportunities they can receive.

The grant funding is designed to bolster and enhance the existing services accessed by victims', especially to victims from minority groups or backgrounds. This grant funding serves as a resource for victim services organisations to improve their services and make them more inclusive. By doing so, they can ensure that their services are accessible but also responsive to the needs of the diverse population they serve. This ultimately contributes to a more effective and supportive environment for all victims of crime.

The grant funding provides financial resources that can be utilised for a wide array of both existing and proposed initiatives and programmes. These are specifically designed to incorporate the valuable insights of individuals with lived experience in the process of shaping the services and ensuring support meets the needs of victims. This approach recognises the unique perspective and understanding that these individuals bring to the table. Their firsthand experience with the challenges faced by victims of crime makes them uniquely positioned to contribute to the design and delivery of services. By involving them in the process, services can be tailored more effectively to meet the specific needs of victims.

A fundamental aspect of enhancing services and support available to victims in Greater Manchester lies in fostering increased collaboration and cross-functional practices among the various victim services organisations in the city region. By working together, organisations can share knowledge, resources and best practices, leading to a more comprehensive and effective support system for victims. This collaborative approach creates a comprehensive approach to victim support, where organisations can complement each other’s services to address the diverse needs of victims. Recognising the potential of such collaborative efforts, the Victims Capacity and Capability Fund has identified enhancing collaboration as a priority funding theme. By prioritising collaboration, the fund aims to create a more integrated and efficient victim support network in Greater Manchester which not only improves the quality of services on offer but ensures victims have access to the correct support they need.