Sobus - Infrastructure support for the voluntary communty

The overarching aim of Sobus is to “strengthen local communities” through the provision of infrastructure support to the local 3rd sector, the provision of affordable office and meeting room space, and empowering residents to collaborate.  Our services and activities include:

 Capacity Building & Organisational Development:  Sobus provides a monthly funding bulletin, plus training and 1-2-1 support to local groups around:

• Fundraising – helping organisations with funding strategies, improving their grant application skills and funding applications

• Governance: helping groups ensure their organisations are run well and are robust and sustainable, including training and advice for Trustees

• Strategic development: supporting you to develop your organisation and services to respond to local priorities and emerging needs

• Monitoring and evaluation: supporting groups to be able to evidence the difference they make.

 Voice & Representation: supporting the engagement and involvement of local organisations to ensure the views and voice of the sector are heard.  At times Sobus represents the sector, but primarily seeks to support the direct participation and involvement of local groups.  Sobus supports a number of local forums, providing opportunities for organisations to come together around areas of mutual interest.

 Signposting and connecting: Sobus manages a database of local community and voluntary groups, and uses this to communicate with local groups, and to to signpost people to local services and organisations.

 Communication: We produce regular news bulletins, a local events calendar, disseminate information and to invite and encourage groups to get involved in local opportunities.  Information about local organisations from the database is available on request, where consent for sharing information has been provided.

 Community Organising Sobus works directly with local residents to enable them to voice common issues and concerns and collectively explore and respond to these challenges, including shaping and influencing existing services through engaging with local organisations, or establishing new services and groups.

 Information & Intelligence: Sobus provides organisations with access to a range of information and data sources, including borough profile and JSNA, and collates data from local organisations to contribute to local service development and decision-making processes.

Collaboration, Cooperation & Partnerships: Sobus facilitates cooperation and collaboration between organisations to develop effective service

proposals which respond to local needs, challenges and priorities in a joined up and cost effective way. Sobus supported forums bring together organisations around particular themes and areas of work.

 Affordable Premises: Sobus provides affordable serviced offices and meeting rooms at our hubs.  Our Dawes Road Hub in Fulham offers meeting rooms for 2-50 people, and flexible office space and business services.  Our Dawes Road Hub prioritises local 3rd sector organisations, with reduced rates for our desk use and room hire.  Our Freston Road Hub prioritises supporting local enterprise, business start-ups and entrepreneurs.

 Training: Sobus offers a range of training and resources for the local VCS, focussing on micro and newly formed groups with training tailored to their individual needs.  Our training is developed and delivered collaboratively with other VCS organisations who are experts in their field.

 3D Voice: a project to support the voice of BAME led organisations, build their capacity, confidence and engagement in local forums, decision making and other engagement opportunities.