Voluntary Sector Forum

Voluntary Sector Forum aims to strengthen the voice of the voluntary sector at a strategic level – that is working with statutory bodies in North Somerset including North Somerset Council, Health Trusts, and Police.

Membership of the Forum is  open to voluntary and community groups and socail enterprises in North Somerset.The Forum provides opportunities for us to

• Bring together a wide range of groups and organisations
• Identify and promote the interests of the sector
• Identify issues of concern
• Provide opportunities to discuss these
• Work with other sectors to address these concerns through the North Somerset Partnership and other local or regional bodies

Voluntary Sector Forum is supported by funding from Capacity Builders through the West of England Consortium

Voluntary Sector Forum - Steering Group

The organisation and direction of the VSF is overseen by a steering group drawn from forum members.  Currently the steering group has representatives from:

• Voluntary Action North Somerset (Chair)
• TENONS
• Community Action
• North Somerset Citizens Advice Bureau
• North Somerset Housing
• Somerset Racial Equality Council

Ideally we would like a nine strong panel and there is a standing procedure for groups who would like to become members of the steering group.  Essentially, the membership criteria are as follows:

Your organisation must be:

• a council for voluntary services;
• a second tier organisation within the definitions set out in the ‘Building Blocks’ report from City Parochial Foundation – see http://www.cityparochial.org.uk/
• able to speak authoritatively to the cross-cutting issues of sustainability, equalities and social inclusion.

If you feel that your organisation meets any of the above criteria and would like to be a member of the steering group, please contact in the first instance Georgie Bigg at georgie.bigg@vansmail.org.uk