Role of Voluntary and Community Sector
The voluntary and community sector plays a vital leadership role in developing
policies and services that improve and enhance society. It touches the lives
of thousands of people each day. The voluntary sector influences virtually
all aspects of our society from social justice, human rights, environment,
health and faith, to arts and culture, international development, sports and
recreation. Many organisations deliver services to and advocate on behalf of
individuals and groups who are disadvantaged, marginalised and/or excluded,
and whose voices might otherwise not be heard.
The Voluntary and Community Sector is a key player in creating greater social
inclusion and democratic renewal, providing mechanisms for community involvement
in the various government initiatives and neighbourhood renewal programmes
promoting public involvement and partnership working.
Role of Infrastructure
All organisations need quality support in order to provide quality services. VCOs may access information and services from a range of different points within their community. These include:
- Neighbourhood based organisations (eg: community centres)
- Borough based organisations (eg: CVS, Volunteer Centres)
- Cross-borough projects (eg: community accountancy projects)
- Sub-regional projects (eg: LEAD, East London CVS Network)
- Regional services (eg: PEACe)
- National organisations (eg: national bodies such as The Refugee Council, Bassac)
Infrastructure organisations can also be divided into the following categories:
Generic Infrastructure:
Those organisations based in boroughs providing either the generalist range of infrastructure services as described in the NAVCA membership criteria as the ‘core functions’ of infrastructure services (see below). In particular they provide information and advice around organisational development, accessing funding opportunities, and training opportunities for both staff and trustees.
Specialist Infrastructure:
These are agencies providing support around specific issues, (such as support
for the HR function or community accountancy), or who work with a particular
community (eg: BMER or LGBT communities).
What is a CVS
A Council for Voluntary Service (CVS) is a voluntary organisation which is set up, owned and run by local groups to support, promote and develop local voluntary and community action. CVS support their members by providing them with a range of services and by acting as a voice for the local voluntary and community sector. Usually funded by the local authority and other local statutory agencies, there is a CVS working in almost every district and city in England. Individual CVS differ in character and size, although they usually work to the same geographical boundaries as the local authority. They also differ in name. Many are called CVS, while others might be called Voluntary Action or Voluntary Sector Council.
All CVS support, promote and develop local voluntary and community action through the following five key functions
Services and support
CVS promote the effectiveness of local voluntary and community groups by providing them with a range of services. These may include access to basic facilities, such as meeting rooms, photocopiers and ICT equipment or more involved services such as community accountancy and employment advice. CVS also support local groups through regular newsletters, training, funding advice and specialist services.
Liaison
As a focal point for the local voluntary and community sector, CVS encourage networking between individuals and groups within the sector, and between local groups and the statutory and private sectors. This allows local groups to learn from one another, establish contacts and work more effectively. CVS also help different communities to organise their own networking activity.
Representation
With government encouraging involvement of voluntary and community groups in shaping and delivering services, CVS enable the views of local groups to be represented. For example, many CVS run voluntary and community sector forums which provide an opportunity for local groups to put forward their views on national and local policies.
Development work
Over the years, the local voluntary and community sector has pioneered some of the essential public services that we now take for granted. Child protection and care for the elderly, for example, had their origins in, and were developed by, the voluntary sector. This tradition has continued into the 21st century, and today CVS take the lead in identifying gaps in service provision and work with groups to develop new and innovative services to meet these needs.
Strategic partnerships
CVS work in partnership with local government and other statutory agencies to shape the delivery of services. CVS play a key role in empowering local groups to take part in partnerships and are directly involved in a wide range of regeneration, neighbourhood renewal, health and social care, learning and other government initiatives. Strategic partnerships may be sub-regional, district wide or neighbourhood. They may cover several issues or have a particular focus.