NAVCA

We've been featured in Civil Society Media Ltd, commenting on Prime Minister Keir Starmer's plans for a “fundamental reset”, as the government publishes a framework for a new working relationship with civil society. Maddy Desforges OBE, our CEO, said, ''We welcome government’s explicit recognition of the VCSE’s role in tackling complex and deep-rooted societal problems. Local VCSE support organisations form critical connections between the VCSE and statutory partners and capture communities’ unique knowledge and problem-solving insights." Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/eP67T9XV

It's so important to us to visit our members to hear about the amazing work they are doing in their communities. That's why Maddy Desforges OBE, our CEO, visited Community Action: MK a few weeks ago to speak at their AGM, celebrating their achievements over the past year, and emphasising the importance of VCSE groups in supporting communities. We'd love to visit more members! If you'd like to invite us along to your events, just get in touch. Thank you to Anna Klis-Davies for the photos, and Clare Walton for inviting NAVCA to your important event. 📷

What did we get up to in 2023/24? 🤔 Check out our newly-published Annual Report to find out! It's been a busy year for NAVCA, and we're so pleased to summarise it all for you in our report. From events to resources, from supporting members to distributing funding, we've done it all - and there's more to come. Read and download the report here: https://lnkd.in/eX8XB2J8 What's been your highlight from NAVCA this year?

We're looking for new trustees! 🔍 If you're a NAVCA member and you want to contribute to NAVCA's strategic direction, then we would love you to join our Board! We're looking for new people to contribute to decision-making whilst gaining professional development, experience of sector leadership, charity governance and insight into how small organisations operate. We are particularly keen to increase the diversity of perspectives on the Board, with trustees from a range of backgrounds, perspectives and experience/age. Trustees joining the Board without prior experience at Board level will be given additional, tailored support to ensure they feel confident and able to fully participate in their new role. If you're interested, log in to the NAVCA website and find the trustee recruitment pack on our resources section: https://lnkd.in/en2QkCsG If you have any questions, let us know in the comments or drop us a direct message!

Share your views and experiences in the VCSE Barometer Survey, and help VCSE Observatory monitor key trends in the #VCSE sector. This autumn, the VCSE Observatory at Nottingham Trent University embarks on the eighth wave of the VCSE Barometer Survey, and your participation is crucial. Here's why: - Impact policy decisions: With nearly two years of valuable insights, the Barometer is making waves within the VCSE landscape, influencing national policy decisions. Your voice is the key to ensuring policymakers understand and support the sector effectively. - Monitor key trends: Your insights will help The Observatory track the sector's evolving challenges, including volunteer recruitment and retention, funding opportunities, and the impact of the ongoing cost-of-living crisis. This quarter, skills and roles within Boards of Trustees and Directors is under the spotlight. Complete the survey between 25 September and 16 October to add your voice - and receive your exclusive invitation to meet the Observatory’s team at an online results presentation on 12 November. Fill in the survey here: https://lnkd.in/etW6NXBr 📝

We all want a decent quality of life for ourselves and those we care about. Yet two million Disabled people are trapped in destitution. That’s why we are backing the national Campaign for Disability Justice. Launched by NAVCA member Inclusion Barnet , a grassroots Deaf and Disabled Peoples Organisation (DDPO), the national campaign calls on the government to work with Disabled led organisations to guarantee: - Opportunity to work - Financial security - Respect for all Disabled people, whether in work or not. The more supporters, the more powerful the campaign, and we are delighted that Scope, Mencap, Trussell, Disability Rights UK, and others are already signed up to support. Sign up to support the campaign now: https://lnkd.in/eU4A77TM 🤝

We know that partnership working between the public sector and the voluntary sector is crucial to supporting communities. 🤝 That's why the Local Government Association (LGA) has just published a Good Practice Guide on working with local infrastructure organisations to engage smaller voluntary sector organisations.   We were commissioned by the LGA to produce this guide for council officers and elected members. NAVCA members participated in the project to share examples of partnership working across a range of different activities and types of local authority.   The guide sets out why working with the #VCFSE sector is beneficial for councils, the importance of creating a culture that values the VCFSE, and how LIOs can facilitate this to build effective and trusted relationships.   In the guide, we highlight six key aspects of good practice, and the guide is brought to life through seven case studies that cover: - Reaching and engaging with communities furthest from council services - Building the capacity of VCFSE organisations to deliver activities and services for local residents - Offering flexibility and agility to respond to crisis situations - Meeting the needs of minoritised communities. Thank you to NAVCA members Action Together, Cambridge Council for Voluntary Service, Community VISION, Cumbria CVS (Council for Voluntary Service), Hackney CVS , Community Action Suffolk and Sandwell CVO for their contributions to this project. 💐 You can read the full guide here: https://lnkd.in/eMNcTSiG What do you think is the most important thing for councils to know about working in partnership with the VCFSE sector? Let us know in the comments.

If you're involved in supporting volunteering in any way, then the Department for Culture, Media and Sport and Policy Lab UK want to hear from you! Check out the details below from Vision for Volunteering, and sign up to take part this week 👇

We've put together our own recipe card for NAVCA members - the key ingredients for effective local infrastructure organisations, and what to do to bring this work to life. We know that our members work with and support their local voluntary sectors in many ways, and are a catalyst for change to enable communities to flourish. Every member's work is diverse and different, reflecting the needs of each local community. This is our ideal recipe - is there anything you'd add? 🍽

Do you want to raise your organisation's profile and reach charities and communities across England? If the answer is yes, then sponsoring the NAVCA Annual Conference 2025 is a great opportunity to network with NAVCA members, local infrastructure organisations, who work with around 165,000 charities and community groups across England. Our conference will be held in Sheffield, and we have exhibition space for new and returning sponsors to join us. Find out more here, and please share with organisations that may be interested: https://lnkd.in/eEempZ2V