Voluntary and Community Sector Assembly Information Brochure 2017 A guide for VCSA members, colleagues, commissioners, partners, councillors, town and parish councils and other stakeholders.
Welcome to the Voluntary and Community Sector Assembly (VCSA) Information Brochure which will provide you with all the details you need on VCSA. If there is anything we ve missed please get in touch! Contents About the VCSA Membership Representation and Partnership Facts and Figures Stronger Together
About the VCSA An Overview The Voluntary and Community Sector Assembly (VCSA) works for the benefit of the voluntary, community and social enterprise groups and organisations working in. The Assembly was established in 2007 and is based on the belief that collective representation is more influential than a series of individual voices; and that cooperation generates shared strength through a pooling of energy, ideas and resources. The VCSA provides a means for voluntary and community organisations throughout to meet and exchange information, ideas and good practice. VCS Assembly is a partnership body focussing on engagement and joint working across sectors. Council hosts the VCSA and supports it in working to engage other public sector partners. The key functions of the VCSA include: Voice of the sector Communication and information provision Representation and awareness Influence and policy development Cross sector working Networking and mutual support The VCS Assembly is free to join. Any VCS organisation can become a member and choose to participate in the Assembly as much or as little as suits their organisation. See the membership section for more details.
Where does the VCSA sit? The diagram below shows how the VCSA works with its partners and stakeholders. The VCS Assembly is led by a Board which meets at least four times a year. The Board is formed of representatives from different s of Interest (FOI). Members of the VCSA may choose to join a of Interest where groups come together to discuss and address common issues. VCSA Board members and some VCS members represent the voluntary, community and social enterprise sector on working groups and project boards. Providers Consortium is the trading arm of the VCSA; members of the VCSA are welcome to join SPC. To find out more visit www.shropshireprovidersconsortium.co.uk. Public Sector Partners and other stakeholders e.g. Council, CCG, Association of Local Councils, Marches LEP etc. Working Groups VCSA Board s of Interest VCS Representatives Providers Consortium VCSA Members Infrastructure Partnership County Sports Partnership Pan Disability Criminal Justice Partners for Social Enterprise 0-25 Summit Community Transport Consortium Health and Social Care Heritage and Arts Green Xchange Mental Health Older People s Assembly
The VCSA s of Interest The s of Interest (FOI) are formed by groups of voluntary and community sector organisations that may deliver similar activities, share aims or provide common types of services. These groups come together to communicate, share information and identify their shared agendas. s of Interest form a crucial part in communicating messages to the Assembly s Board of representatives which delivers strategic activities. Infrastructure Partnership Working together to ensure VCS groups and organisations in have access to the support and services they need. County Sports Partnership Providing information and communication networks for those inv9olved in sport and physical activity across, Telford and Wrekin Pan Disability Bringing organisations working across all types of disabilities (including learning, physical, mental and sensory) together. Criminal Justice Providing a platform for discussion, consultation and information exchange for organisations with an interest in criminal justice. Partners for Social Enterprise A partnership committed to working together to support the social enterprise sector in, Herefordshire and Worcestershire. 0-25 Summit A forum for not-forprofit organisations providing services for children, young people and their families. Community Transport Consortium Health and Social Care Heritage and Arts Green Xchange Mental Health Older People s Assembly Independent charities and voluntary organisations, working to support local people by providing door to door transport throughout. Offering voluntary sector groups, whose work involves health and social care, the opportunity to come together and build partnerships. A place for learning about, and advocating, heritage and arts in. Support networking among museums offering mutual support. An inclusive network of organisations working together to promote a sustainable future for the people of. Developing effective working relationships between commissioners, providers, carers and users of mental health services. Highlighting key issues concerning the welfare of older people and bring them to the attention of those planning and delivering services. More information and contact details can be found on the VCSA website: www.vcsvoice.org
How do I become a member of the VCSA? Firstly, joining the VCSA is FREE! The VCSA Membership brings a wide variety of VCS organisations to come together to provide a strong voice for the sector. The collective voice allows for stronger collaborative working between public sector partners, stakeholders and private organisations. VCSA s aim is to improve the representation of VCS organisations irrespective of size and continue partnership building with public sector and private sector organisations to meet the needs of local groups and communities. To become a member of the VCSA, please visit our website (www.vcsvoice.org) and download a copy of the Members Information Pack which includes the VCSA Terms of Reference. Once you ve read the pack, download a copy of the VCSA Membership form from the website. This is a PDF form so you should be able to complete on your computer. Complete the form, a save a copy for yourself then send one back to us via email or print off and send via post. If you need any information simply contact the Feedback and Insight Team at Council via telephone 01743 258521 or email us at vcsassembly@shropshire.gov.uk. As a VCSA Member you will be able to receive all the latest news, funding information, updates, national and local consultations, local opportunities, events plus more!
Am I eligible to be a VCSA Member? In order to be recognised as a member, an organisation will comply with the following criteria... The organisation shall be: A VCS group or organisation operating in. Be independent, that is, institutionally separate from the government and self-governing. Not distribute profit from its activities to owners or members but retain it, if any, for use in serving its basic purpose. Involve some form of voluntary activity, i.e. donations, public support or unpaid trustees. It is entirely compatible for voluntary organisations to have a mainly salaried workforce. Not be party political. Please note that additional information may be sought by the Assembly to evidence eligibility. If you re a public sector, private sector or non-vcs stakeholder we can add you to our mailing list. Please email the following details to the VCSA inbox (vcsassembly@shropshire.gov.uk): Name Job role/title Organisation Email Address Telephone
Benefits of VCSA Membership Being a member of VCSA allows you to... Increase your awareness of available grants, support services and private sector partners. Attend events specifically for voluntary, community and social enterprise organisations. Influence decision making through our close relationship with public sector partners. Improve your communications, information sharing and identification of key issues. Increase your capacity for networking, sharing skills, and best practice. Engage in representation at a strategic and commissioning level. Engage in consultation on a wide range of relevant subject areas.
Expectations of VCSA Members All VCS Assembly members will be provided with a code of conduct. To ensure the VCSA is successful and sustainable, we rely on the support of the members to promote and champion the Assembly and voluntary, community and social enterprise sector in. Some of the key items include: Support the aims, objectives and values of the VCSA Keep VCSA details up to date Attend the VCSA Annual Assembly Engage in two-way communication SHROPSHIRE VCSA Promote the VCSA to other potential members CODE OF CONDUCT Comply with the Compact Take an active interest in the VCSA s public image Consider opportunities to participate in the work of the VCSA
Representation and Partnership Key values of VCSA ensure that: 1. The VCS Assembly and any representatives or members it selects will be accountable to the VCS and will have clear mechanisms in place to demonstrate this. 2. The VCS Assembly will work towards meeting its aims through co-operative and inclusive partnerships. It will aim to minimise duplication, to promote unity and to encourage and facilitate co-operation between voluntary and community organisations. 3. The VCS Assembly will operate on the basis of mutual respect and demand that respect in return for its membership; members are expected to be open and honest. 4. The VCS Assembly will undertake creative positive action to mitigate against adverse impact on the most vulnerable in our communities and encourage the involvement of groups within the VCS who tend to be marginalised or excluded. The VCSA is represented on a large number of partnership groups. VCSE sector representatives work closely alongside long partner bodies to influence change and deliver cross sector projects and initiatives. The next page includes a list of groups where the voluntary sector is represented
Representation and Partnership VCSA Change and Compact Group Safeguarding Children s Board Better Care Fund Strategic Groups Better Care Fund Working Groups Healthwatch Healthwatch CCG Patient & Stakeholder Group Community Health NHS Trust: Patient & Engagement Panel Stakeholder Grant Panel Public Involvement Group STP Neighbourhood Town and Parish Mental Health 0-25 SEND Strategic Group & Prevention Council Partnership Board Board Group Community Safety Social Inclusion Health and Safeguarding Partnership Board Marches LEP Wellbeing Board Adults Board Children s Trust Social Value Group Early Help VCSA Board
Facts and Figures: VCSA 236 Organisations are VCSA Members 317 Individual VCSE The VCSA work with over 100 public sector partners from 29 different organisations contacts on the VCSA database 600+ News stories shared in a year 798 Twitter followers 52 weekly newsletters issued in a year The VCSA have representatives on 43 regular partnership groups
Facts and Figures: s Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise Sector 1,656 registered charities in 154,600 people are in employment in. 6% of the working age population in England and Wales are employed by the voluntary and community sector. If this figure is applied to, approximately 9,276 people are employed by the voluntary and community sector in the County. There are an estimated 1,127 unregistered community groups in. 70,579 people volunteer at least once a month and give a total of 818,716 hours which has a Social Value of 6,140,373 per month. In 2016/17 s voluntary sector attracted 1,604,929 of funding into the county from 9 of the largest funding bodies and charitable trusts.
Voluntary and Community Sector Assembly Supported by Council s Feedback and Insight Team Email: vcsassembly@shropshire.gov.uk Telephone: 01743 258521 Website: www.vcsvoice.org