East Staffordshire Borough Council has launched a new strategy with aims of developing its relationship with the Voluntary and Community Sector (VCSE).
The new strategy outlines a number of ways in which the Council is looking to build upon its relationship with the VCSE. Going forward, the Council aims to encourage collaborative working with the sector, while also improving knowledge and understanding of the VCSE across East Staffordshire. This is to be achieved through the development of a communications plan, looking at how the Council shares information on volunteering and community opportunities.
During the Covid-19 pandemic the Borough saw an increase in volunteering, once again showing the need for the VCSE. With this in mind, the Council aims to support local volunteering by regularly sharing information on volunteering opportunities with both members and employees, thereby improving the partnership between the Council and the VCSE.
Cllr Bernard Peters, Cabinet Member for Communities and Housing Standards, said: “A strong relationship between the Council and the Voluntary and Community Sector is vital in ensuring residents are informed of the many services local organisations provide. This new strategy ensures that the Council continues to evaluate its partnership with volunteering and community organisations across the Borough.”
East Staffordshire Borough Council will also be launching a Voluntary and Community Sector Forum and is inviting all voluntary and community organisations, big and small, across the Borough to get involved.
The Forum aims to promote good communication between the Council and the local voluntary and community sector. It will provide an opportunity to share information and enable learning and development of key issues and topics including:
- The current approach to supporting the sector in the Borough and whether it is working
- Improved understanding of the make-up of our local sector and challenges faced
- The Council’s approach to funding and commissioning of services with the voluntary sector
- Enhancing volunteering opportunities and support available for volunteering
- Signposting and networking opportunities
Forum meetings will be held bi-annually with the inaugural meeting scheduled for Tuesday 27th September at 6:30pm via Zoom. For further information and to book your place please contact Sara Botham, Social Regeneration Officer at sara.botham@eaststaffsbc.gov.uk or 01283 508038.