Funding concerns taint charity's celebrations (From Watford Observer)

Funding concerns taint charity's celebrations

1:42pm Sunday 29th October 2006

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A CHARITY'S landmark celebration this week was tainted by funding concerns.

Daniel Sturrock became the 1,000th volunteer to register with Three Rivers Volunteer Centre since the national volunteering database was launched.

Fifteen-year-old Daniel volunteers at the Gateway Club in Mill End.

But Lynn Green, who left her post as centre manager last Friday, said that the happiness felt when the centre achieved its 1,000th volunteer was muted by sadness and uncertainty about the future of Three Rivers CVS.

She said: "We have made a conscious effort to attract more young people to volunteering.

"Unfortunately, it is difficult to say that we will be able to carry on the service at this level because at present we are working on reserves."

The volunteer centre, based in Northway, Rickmansworth, is waiting for the result of bids for funding from the Big Lottery Fund but these have been delayed due to an excessive demand for funding.

The Three Rivers CVS is in a unique position in that the district council has never funded it operation.

Both Watford and Dacorum volunteer centres are funded by their local councils.

Last week, the centre sent a letter explaining their position to every councillor in Three Rivers.

Fundraiser Bhavini Bhatt said: "The replies we have received so far have contained a mixture of sympathy and surprise. Many councillors did not even know that we are not funded by the council.

"Watford CVS is entirely funded by the council but as well as not being funded, we also have to pay rent to the council for our office space.

"As a drastic measure, we have had to ask Three Rivers District Council to waive three months rent while we wait to hear if we will get funding from the Big Lottery Fund."

Ms Green, who left her post to head the volunteer development department for a national charity, left her position on Friday and the lack of funds at the centre mean, that she cannot be replaced.

They will now be forced to operate on a part-time basis with the help of a team of volunteers.

A representative from Three Rivers District Council said that the CVS had not previously applied for any grant for funding from the council and that the recent request was being rushed through.

It will be discussed at a meeting of the executive committee on Monday evening.

She said: "Three Rivers District Council has received a request for funding from Three Rivers Centre for Voluntary Services.

"This funding request will be heard by the executive committee at its meeting on Monday, October 30, and a decision will be taken on whether the funding should be approved.

"Members of the public are welcome to attend the meeting at Three Rivers House, which begins at 7.30pm."

For more information on Three Rivers CVS, telephone 01923 711174.

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