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Kairos in Soho (KiS) is a community development organisation. We extend notions of community development, such as relationship building, awareness raising, empowerment and sustainability, to our collaboration with other voluntary and community organisations. This is different to the role of formal infrastructure organisations and much needed in the present climate. This way of joint working is also critical in a sector working with LGBT organisations, which are few in number and chronically under-funded.
KiS also takes a community development approach to its policy and voice work. Work with individuals continually informs the knowledge building which then forms the foundation of influencing work with statutory and other bodies.
Background
In Our Name
Publication of the The PIP Report: Phase One LGBT Infrastructure Development Project - this is the first ever major study of the environment in which LGBT voluntary and community organisations operate, and formed the foundation for a grassroots approach to infrastructure development May 2007.
Order a hard copy of the report by contacting KiS here
INformed - INvolved - INvested: KiS gained funding from London Councils for a four year project to begin work on infrastructure development to: increase the influence of LGBT organisations and individuals on policy and London planning, in particular the work of Local Authorities in July 2008
Borough by Borough Analysis: In December 2009 KiS completed its review and analysis of London local authority websites in relation to their stated commitments on LGBT equality and engagement (pdf).
In Our Name: after a further year of development work and relationship building KiS has merged the IN project into a larger partnership project with London Friend, PACE and The Metro Centre. This is a five year project which aims to connect and motivate LGBT action in a way that has not been possible before now. The learning from PiP has enabled a dynamic and creative model of grassroots infrastructure development. The learning from PiP has enabled a dynamic and creative model of grassroots infrastructure development.
The In Our Name Project Components
The In Our Name (ION) Infrastructure Project (2009-2013) is a London lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) project managed by Kairos in Soho. The project aims to provide a unique infrastructure model developed within the community, so that diverse LGBT voluntary and community organisations (VCOs) are supported to better deliver their missions. The overriding philosophy of the project is to encourage organisations to reflect together on practice and experience and invest long-term in creating a more sustainable and nurturing environment for LGBT community action and LGBT people.
ION is comprised of the five components outlined below.
The Learning Network
The aim of the Learning Network is to provide opportunities to learn about and inform the sector, to work together and to reflect on practice. This network will bring together officers, trustees and volunteers from LGBT VCOs, LGBT Forums and LGBT projects. Facilitated meetings with clear aims are held three times a year and are developed around priorities identified through conversations with and feedback from members of the network. Short reports of all of these meetings have been produced. Some of the topics explored, for example, are Dynamic Practice in June 2011 and Trans Equalities in February 2011.
The Almanac
The aim of the Almanac is to provide up-to-date statistical and strategic information about the LGBT voluntary and community sector (VCS) in London so that diverse LGBT can envision their strategic context and access an information base for planning and development. It will provide an annual snapshot of the work taking place, including for example: income; funding types; number of staff and volunteers; services provided and activities undertaken; plus contributions from individuals.
The Funding Network
The aim of the Funding Network is to influence the financial situation of LGBT VCOs. It will support the overall funding situation of the sector by providing joint initiatives and an overall funding plan.
Since its initial meeting in July 2010, the Funding Network has discussed and developed the LGBT sector funding strategy. Members who have attended the meetings have agreed to take the strategy forward. The strategy provides for the setting up of a funding information base, building funding knowledge, campaigning to increase funding of the sector, fundraising collectively and joint working.
In spring 2012, we will be launching the sector's first joint fundraising event and aim to roll out a pilot of the LGBT sector fundraising skills swap.
The Thinking Network
The aim of the Thinking Network is to develop policy positions together so that the sector, policy makers, service providers, funders, infrastructure organisations and statutory bodies are better informed and better able to serve and support LGBT people. It will provide space and opportunity to explore specific issues which emerge. A group might, for example, wish to develop policy around issues specific to the service that they provide, or to address external policy developments which are adversely affecting the community. ION will offer facilitation and support around emerging issues.
Innovation Hubs
Innovation Hubs offer groups of LGBT organisers opportunities to meet separately or with relevant professionals to learn together, support each other and explore issues of mutual interest. Themes and issues for exploration are identified by groups and meetings are facilitated as part of ION; the number of meetings held depends on the topic being explored. Consultancy fees are paid to un-funded LGBT VCOs which send representatives to the hubs.
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