The local Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS) consists of a wide range of charities, community groups, tenants and residents associations, social enterprises and many more not-for-profit organisations or groups. The Council currently spends over £3million on services delivered by the VCS including practical and development support for organisations through Voluntary Action Waltham Forest.

Give us your views on the Voluntary and Community Sector Strategy

The Council is publishing a draft version of the Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS) Strategy and is asking for your comments. This strategy has arisen out of the Thriving Voluntary and Community Sector review that began in March 2010 to look at the local Voluntary Sector and what it needs to thrive. The strategy is built on a strong evidence base which included extensive engagement and consultation; details of this are given in the Review Approach paper that is included below.

The draft strategy is being published ahead of formal approval by the Council’s Cabinet in March 2012. The Council laid emphasis on ensuring that the VCS were fully involved at the beginning of the process informing the issues and priorities and so at this stage we are seeking final comments only on the overall strategy.

The draft action plan does not include timescales, resources needed or lead organisation as the focus of this consultation is views on content only.

We welcome your views on the Strategy, Action Plan, Volunteering support scheme and the Match funding scheme.

Notes on funded schemes

The schemes are proposals for how the available resources should be targeted to support the delivery of the strategy. Funding is therefore being put towards supporting an increase in volunteering, and the capacity building of organisations and sustainability of the sector. We welcome views on specific aspects of the schemes such as your preferred options (for the Volunteering scheme) and also more widely on anything you consider important in supporting the schemes.

Specific questions to think about when sending in your comments on each of the schemes:

  1. Do you think this will help build the capacity of your organisation?
  2. Do you think this will help build the capacity of the whole local Voluntary Sector?
  3. Are you likely to apply to this scheme?

Papers for consultation

For information:

Please send in your comments by Monday 20 February 2012 to Jo Edler, Voluntary Sector Officer at Joanna.edler@walthamforest.gov.uk or Room 104, Walthamstow Town Hall, Forest Road, E17 4JF.

If you are planning to respond and give your comments on the schemes, strategy, and action plan please do let us know. It would also help us to consider all responses fully if you could send your responses in before this date.

...and more views please!!!

Whilst you are letting us know what you think, please also look at the plans to celebrate/commemorate days and months throughout  the year as part of encouraging community cohesion. We know that local community based organisations are often keen to mark these occasions which can bring the community together, and are best-placed to create the right activities for the borough. Up to £500 would be available to pay for costs.

To look at the full outline of the scheme and how it would work please visit the Cohesion page. Comments must be received by 5 March 2012.

Towards a Thriving VCS Review

Issues and Options Papers - These were developed from the Perfect Moment Findings report, with proposed options for addressing concerns raised and formed the basis for the consultation day:

Grants Available!

Please visit the Grants page for more information

Voluntary sector support

Voluntary Action Waltham Forest (VAWF) has been commissioned by Waltham Forest to provide a professional support, development and promotion service for the voluntary and community sector, to enable it to become more sustainable, enterprising and effective.

VAWF have produced an online resource pack (174KB PDF file) and a page of training opportunities for local voluntary groups.

For the duration of the contract from 2011-2013 VAWF will provide:

  • Practical assistance and support, including a fundraising service, a community accountancy service and training, and general support on governance, management and employment
  • Leadership of the sector, including taking the lead on initiatives to encourage and facilitate groups to network, merge or cluster, and common share services and facilities
  • Representation of the sector at strategic level, facilitating third sector involvement in the shaping and delivery of public services
  • Facilitating consultation and communication, including providing an effective liaison function between the local authority and the VCS, through newsletters and consultative mechanisms, and enabling the views of the sector to be articulated on local, regional and national policies

For more information and to access the service, please contact:

Voluntary Action Waltham Forest
Upper Ground Floor
Churchill Business Centre
6 Church Hill
Walthamstow
London E17 3RY

Tel 020 8521 0377
Email info@voluntaryaction-wf.org.uk
Website www.voluntaryaction.net

Community ward forums

Community Ward Forum meetings will take place in each ward, 3 times a year. The meetings will be open to individual residents, community groups and business representatives who want to help shape and improve their neighbourhood. This is an opportunity for local people to get together, meet their ward councillors, and discuss the important issues affecting their area.

Visit the Community Ward Forums page

Contact

Voluntary Sector Team
Community Engagement
Residents First
Room 104
Waltham Forest Town Hall
Forest Road
Walthamstow, E17 4JF
Tel 020 8496 3000