The Northumberland VCS Consortium
What are the Consortium’s aims?
The Northumberland Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS) Consortium plans to act in the best interests of the county’s voluntary and community sector. It aims to improve coordination and collaboration within the sector. It also aims to enhance relations with the public sector.
Who are the Consortium’s members?
It is made up of approximately 25 VCS member organisations from the sector and about 12 observers and advisers from public sector organisations. The VCS members collectively reflect a wide perspective of VCS opinion and interests. They are drawn from a variety of different issues/themes (advice, health, learning, economic development, volunteering etc) and target groups (older people, children and young people, people with disabilities etc). More detail and a list of current members can be downloaded from www.northumberlandvcs.org.uk .
CAN is a founder member of the Consortium and its accountable body. The Sector Development Officer is employed by CAN and provides the Consortium’s secretariat support. georgecourtice@ca-north.org.uk
What does the Consortium do?
The VCS Consortium
- sets the strategy for the future development of the sector’s support.
- allocates available funding according to its business plan’s priorities.
- provides a voice for the sector on public and regional bodies particularly in relation to the Local Area Agreement (www.northumberland-laa.org.uk) and the Compact (link to section on this site).
- holds regular conferences for the sector as a whole.
Why does it do it?
There is increasing pressure, from funders and central & local government, to demonstrate the contribution of the VCS to all our lives. Making better connections between all sectors means working in partnership with them. The Consortium of voluntary and community organisations and groups hopes to do just that by proving the evidence of its value, coordinating its voice and ensuring its vibrant future.
How to find out more
To find a summary of projects currently providing support services to frontline organisations, as well as the Consortium’s plans for the future, go to the Consortium’s website www.northumberlandvcs.org.uk
George Courtice is the current Sector Development Officer. His contact details are:
George Courtice
Sector Development Officer
Community Action Northumberland
Tower Buildings
9 Oldgate
Morpeth
Northumberland
NE61 1PY
Tel: 01670 517178 or 500817
Email: georgecourtice@ca-north.org.uk
