Worcestershire Voices has been established to provide strategic leadership and a collective voice for the voluntary and community sector (VCS) in the county. In the current climate it is more vital than ever for the VCS to come together to highlight and demonstrate how unique and diverse it is and the contribution it does and can make to Worcestershire.
Worcestershire Voices does these through its 3 parts:
1. Voices Website
This website provides a single information access point to the sector and supports networking and engagement. Look around the site to find services, events, news, training and volunteering opportunities for the Worcestershire VCS.
2. Voices Online Forum
It is important to us to make sure the views of the VCS are heard and shared. The Voices Online Forum has been set up to enable VCS organisations to have interactive web-based debates, reflect the views of the sector and discuss relevant issues that are currently affecting them. Themed groups allow for targetted discussions and a variety of different themes will be created over time in areas such as health and wellbeing, environment, children and young people, criminal justice etc. The Health and Wellbeing theme group has already been set up. Go to the
Forum home page here.
3. Voices Board
The Board currently comprises 10 individuals with a range of backgrounds and skills who meet monthly and are all committed to developing an independent and influential, collective voice for the VCS in Worcestershire. The board is led by Michael Hunter and the board members are Cat Illingworth (WCVYS), Derek Markie (faith partnership), Jim Smith, (Sight Concern), Kate Harvey (Onside Independent Advocacy), Lorraine Preece (YSS), Nick Parker (Vestia Community Trust), Richard Quallington (Community First), Sally Ellison (Worcester Volunteer Centre) and Sue Fry (Midwest Rural Enterprise). Lorna Pearcey is the Worcestershire Voices Co-ordinator.
The Board are currently focusing on the following areas:
- Engaging with the public and private sectors to create and develop strong and effective links.
- Worcestershire Volunteering Research Project. This significant project is the first countywide research to have taken place since 2007 and will provide a valuable insight into volunteering in Worcestershire. Work is well under way and we are hoping to be able to share this report with you in the next couple of months.
- Refreshing and re-launching the Worcestershire Compact. The Worcestershire Compact is the essential guide for good working practice between sectors in the county.
- Sub groups have been established focusing on commissioning and personalisation – two areas that are currently having an impact on the VCS.
Find out more about the
board here.
If you have any queries or would like more information about Worcestershire Voices, please contact Michael at
michael.hunter@worcestershirevoices.org.uk or on 07595 099881. We look forward to working together with you in the future and will keep you regularly informed of our progress.