VoluntaryNews

"More than a dozen outdated pieces of legislation governing co-operatives and mutuals" are to be consolidated and simplified before the next election, the Prime Minister has announced, http://www.number10.gov.uk/news/co-operatives-bill-will-build-a-fairer-economy/. T

The Women's Resource Centre has published 'Hidden Value: Demonstrating the extraordinary impact of women's voluntary and community organisations'.

The social return on investment report produced in collaboration with five London-based women's organisations, with support from new economics foundation, found that for every pound invested into their services, women's organisations can generate between £5 and £11 worth of social value to women, their children, and the state.

A Volunteer Training Bank of materials developed for museums has been updated and moved to the Museum of London website.

While some, like object handling, is clearly museum specific, no doubt other materials could easily be adapted for other volunteer training.

(Source: UKVPM list)

The fourth of a series of surveys of the members of Volunteer Now in Northern Ireland has been published. The surveys have focused on the impact of the economic downturn and public expenditure cuts on volunteer involvement and volunteer management practices.

Locality, the organisation for community anchors, has produced a quick guide to the Community Right to Bid and the Community Right to Challenge, which are part of the new Localism Act. Locality manages the Assets Transfer Unit, which can provide assistance on take on a local asset.

The guide is available (in pdf, 86KB) via http://locality.org.uk/news/community-rights/.

A new scoping study from Third Sector Research Centre highlights the significant and positive contribution that grassroots arts activities make to the development of civil society, with a range of different impacts and outcomes.

A Guardian Voluntary Sector Network article on TUPE - Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) regulations - discusses why it can create problems when voluntary organisations take on the provision of existing services.

An online consultation as part of the review of the Early Years Professional Status (EYPS) standards, due to be implemented by training providers from September, has been launched by Children's Workforce Development Council. This is an opportunity for early years practitioners and stakeholders to have their views taken into account.