As the infrastructure body for the VCFSE sector across North Somerset, we partner with many organisations and are able to promote job vacancies using our networks and social media channels.
If you have a paid role to promote and would like our support, we charge £75 per role and will advertise it across our social media channels (Facebook, Twitter and Instagram), on our website and in our monthly newsletter if the timing allows.
If you are interested in this service, please email Julie: i[email protected]
Shape Strategy. Drive Impact. Join the Board of Voluntary Action North Somerset (VANS)
VANS is seeking experienced professionals to join our Board of Trustees. We’re looking for individuals with expertise in Finance, Health and Safety, EDI (Equality, Diversity & Inclusion) and IT (Information and Technology) who are passionate about contributing their skills to a meaningful cause. As a Trustee, you’ll play a vital role in strategic planning, financial oversight, and governance, ensuring the long-term sustainability and success of our mission. This is a chance to leverage your expertise to make a real difference in the community.
Carers Development Project at VANS
Duration of the project: April 25 – April 26
Budget: £29,900 to include consultant time, publicity, venue hire, travel etc
Background
North Somerset Council have developed an ambitious new strategy and implementation plan for Carers. One of the gaps identified by the State of Ageing report that has fed into the strategy was that “there is currently no organisation in North Somerset with the purpose of advocating for the broader needs and interests of unpaid carers”. The full state of ageing report can be found here https://www.vansweb.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/The-State-of-Ageing-in-North-Somerset-A4-Landscape.pdf
Discussions with North Somerset Council have identified an opportunity for VANS to host some work initially for a year with a view to;
- Developing adult carer’s voice within the health and social system
- Stimulating the development of a new organisation for carers in North Somerset
The work will be hosted within VANS and sit within the Ageing Well Team, although its focus will be on adult carers, i.e. 18+.
The role will not be focused on service delivery or duplicate existing commissioned work, e.g. Cares Support Service commissioned from Alliance Homes.
Purpose of project
- To create a carers forum and other mechanisms of engagement with adult carers in North Somerset to a) understand the issues they are facing, b) their ideas for solutions, c) boost the collective voice of adult carer.s
- To take these issues back to North Somerset Council and appropriate strategic groups, advocating for adult carers as a collective group
- To support adult carers to advocate on behalf of themselves
Collaboration
This role is a collaborative one and the person carrying it out would be expected to work closely with the Carers Partnership Board, existing carers support services, providers of domiciliary care, Sirona and the 2 Locality Partnerships as well as other appropriate networks and organizations.
Deliverables
- 6 carers forums for carers of adults (18+). This would include working with Alliance Homes carer’s voice but would have a particular focus on reaching carers who are not currently known to services. This would include people who are caring for
- People with mental health challenges
- People with learning disabilities
- Older adults, including those with dementia-type illnesses
- Adults with physical disabilities or sensory impairments
- Bi-monthly reports to the Carers Partnership Board on issues being raised by carers and any progress on resolution, as well as statistical data on carers attending forums or being in contact with the project
- Attendance at the following meetings
- – Carers Partnership Board
- – Locality Boards for One Weston & Woodspring
- Locality sub-groups, e.g. ageing well, CMHT
H&WB board to report back
