The Support Service for Voluntary & Community Groups in Wiltshire

Wiltshire Voluntary Sector Forum Network

Wiltshire Voluntary Sector Forum Network Contact: Maria Van de Vorst, Senior Development Officer for GROW on 0845 034 5250.

A few words from our past attendees....

Date and venue information for the forthcoming meetings click on the relevant box... You are welcome to come to either forum!

What is it?

A Wiltshire wide network of Voluntary Sector Forums that add value to the existing voice, consultation and representation structures for the voluntary and community sector. TERMS OF REFERENCE (APR 2011 ONWARDS)

It’s Generalist

In the specific sense of being able to discuss cross cutting issues that affect all voluntary and community groups across Wiltshire

It’s Local

In the sense of groups being able to look at those cross cutting issues in the context of their own particular part of the overall geographic patch and being able to raise and discuss other locally specific issues that may/may not be experienced in other parts of Wiltshire. Additionally it will allow groups to network at meetings with other groups from their own locality.

It is the localism related to the generalist nature of the Wiltshire Voluntary Sector Forum Network, and the fact that it will operate as a network, that GROW hopes will ensure that this initiative will not duplicate the more thematically specific Fora such as the Children and Families Voluntary Sector Forum or the main VCS Assembly. Rather, it is intended that the Wiltshire Voluntary Sector Forum Network will be able to constructively add value to the VCS Assembly and any onward representation structures.

The structure outlined above is supported by a bespoke Webpage within the overall GROW website. This has a section for general Wiltshire Voluntary Sector Forum Network business and specific sections for the business of the Local Forum meetings.

There is an interactive capability on the GROW website that will also enable on-line voting or on-line surveys (for example) and also the GROW website houses an interactive social networking facility so that groups can post comments if they would like to do so.

Find out more about the Wiltshire Voluntary Sector Forum Network and check out when the next meeting is by using the links above.

VOLUNTARY SECTOR FORUM ARCHIVE OF DOCUMENTS

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Comment by Beth Wilson on October 6, 2011 at 10:03: Community groups are the vital link

Study shows Local Enterprise Partnerships poor at involving voluntary groups

South West Forum is urging the region’s new Local Enterprise Partnerships [LEPs] to work with and involve voluntary groups and social enterprises. In a report, The Vital Link, to be launched at the Valuing Voluntary Action conference in Taunton today, the Forum reveals that while there are instances of good practice, most of the LEPs being set up to drive local economic development are not connecting with community and voluntary groups in their area.

South West Forum’s Isabel Livingstone believes this is short sighted. “Voluntary groups and social enterprises are a substantial business sector employing over 65,000 paid staff in the South West,” said Ms Livingstone. They are also critical in delivering training, skills and support for people seeking work. Our research shows that many LEPs are missing a trick by not making use of the knowledge, experience, flexibility and innovation of social purpose organisations.”

South West Forum is concerned too that while the LEPs are supported by government money and are expected to have an increasingly important role, many of their decisions seem to be made ‘behind closed doors’. The Forum is urging the LEPs to be much more open about who is on their boards, how they are recruited and how important decisions are made.

Ms Livingstone added: “LEPs need strong support from the communities they serve if they are to be successful and community and voluntary groups are a critical route to gaining that support. If voluntary groups and communities don’t have some involvement with LEPs then there is a risk that they will be seen as just another self-elected body solely serving the interests of big business.

“South West Forum wants to see LEPs develop clear and open communications, to link with the community through charity networks, and to work more closely with small and micro businesses.”

Read further information and download the report

Comment by Beth Wilson on October 6, 2011 at 10:00: Commentary of Best Value Guidance
A short commentary on the government's new Best Value Guidance for local authorities making decisions regarding the funding of charities, voluntary organisations, social enterprises and small business has been written by a partner at Bates Wells and Braithwaite Solicitors. This covers the legal status and what it means for funded groups, in particular around any decision to cut funding. Available from NCVO's website.

Full Best Value Guidance information here