VCSE Strategic Forum
The VCSE Strategic Forum brings together leaders from across the wide range of voluntary, community and social enterprise organisations in Somerset, with senior staff from Somerset County Council, Somerset Clinical Commissioning Group, District Councils, and other key countywide public and private sector agencies.
They discuss issues of interest and concern, help to inform commissioning, and promote collaboration and partnership working across the sectors.
For more information on the VCSE Forum and key Somerset VCSE initiatives, visit www.somersetvcse.org.uk
About the sector
The VCSE sector, is sometimes referred to as ‘the Third Sector’, ‘Social Purpose Sector or ‘Civil Society’. It is made up of groups that are independent of government and are constitutionally self-governing, usually with an unpaid voluntary management committee. They exist for the good of the community, to promote social, economic, environmental or cultural objectives to benefit society as a whole, or particular groups within it.
This sector traditionally consists of groups that meet one or more of the following:
- Are charities – either through registration with the Charity Commission or as self-defined charities due to their annual income being below the £5,000 threshold.
- Are non-profit-making, including not-for-profit community enterprises.
- Are sports clubs, excluding professional clubs.
- Are informal, unregistered, groups consisting of volunteers that act collectively to provide a service to their local community or a specific group in need.
A ‘State of the Sector’ Survey (published February 2017) collected evidence from charities and voluntary groups from across Somerset about the issues and challenges they are facing as well as their development and support needs. The report celebrates the work of the thousands of charities and voluntary groups providing vital support in our communities, but it also highlights a sector under pressure. Infographic. The full report.
Useful contacts
If you are a local VCSE organisation or community group that requires assistance with developing your group, business planning, sourcing or applying for funding or recruiting volunteers then your local VCSE infrastructure organisation may be able to assist and help you. They also support and encourage networking across the sector through newsletters and hosting local forums. The geographical CVS organisations with their associated Volunteer Centres are:
Engage West Somerset and Taunton
SPARK – South Somerset Mendip and Sedgemoor
Somerset Community Foundation work to increase the impact of local philanthropy. Their website gives you more information about funds and initiatives they are involved in.
Community Council for Somerset support a range of initiatives including Village Agents Project, support for village halls and community buildings, community and neighbourhood planning, using Community Rights, funding support, energy projects, Social Enterprise Somerset and other local initiatives. There is more information on their website.
Healthwatch gathers and represents the public’s views on health and social care services in England. They have statutory powers to ensure the voice of the consumer is strengthened and heard by those who commission, deliver and regulate health and care services. They also sit on the Somerset Health and Wellbeing Board.
The Somerset Emergency Voluntary Agencies Group support the Civil Contingencies Unit with response and recovery in emergencies across Somerset.
The UK Civil Society Almanac brings together data from charities’ accounts, administrative data and surveys to provide a comprehensive overview of the structure and economy of the UK voluntary sector For information about registered charities, visit the Charity Commission website.
For more information, please email communities@somerset.gov.uk