Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) Assembly
The Assembly in its current form went live in April 2021. This followed the lightening of restrictions following the Covid-19 outbreaks and lockdowns. It was the finalisation of a journey that had started at least two years before, with hard work and commitment by key members of the voluntary and community sector and the organising of and delivery of two very successful workshops. These brought us together and established a common agenda that has been the basis of our collaborative work since.
The VCSE Assembly Ltd is a company limited by guarantee. It is also now has charitable status. The focus of work of our new charity is our thematic groups. Our existing groups have worked effectively to harness the views and priorities of each sector and to represent them. We will be launching further thematic groups soon and there are new ones being formed. Each thematic works to develop a shared approach to resolving common issues in different sectors.
The Thematic Groups have been established to bring together individuals and organisations who have interest and expertise in relation to the theme and who will work together in a collaborative way to address the challenges and opportunities for that theme. The thematic approach is important because it will be part of a new framework envisaged for working with partners in health, education and the new Unitary Authorities. It also provides an opportunity for a wider group of concerned stakeholders to engage effectively together in a structured way.
Thematic Groups Involved
ADVICE
ARTS, CULTURE AND HERITAGE
CARERS
CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE
MENTAL HEALTH
NBCT (NORTHAMPTONSHIRE BLACK COMMUNITIES TOGETHER)
OLDER PEOPLE
PAN DISABILITY
RURAL AND SUSTAINABLE FUTURES
SPORTS
PURPOSE
The thematic groups are intended to lift the effectiveness of the voluntary sector in Northamptonshire; to collaborate together, to determine and represent its views and to encourage partnership and joint working with the statutory and other sectors in Northamptonshire. The group will:
Operate within the VCSE Assembly framework and structure and report to the Assembly Board
Work to the agreed Thematic Terms of Reference.
Raise the profile of the VCSE Assembly and support VCSE Assembly events.
Encourage members to share their knowledge and experiences.
Plan joint responses to issues and challenges of mutual concern.
To build partnership with statutory bodies, the commercial sector and other bodies to support its priorities. The group will encourage networking, sharing, collaboration and support between interested members so as to build mutual respect, knowledge of the capacity and capability of the sector and to further sector resilience.
RESPONSIBILITIES
The main responsibilities are to:
To identify the emerging, trends, patterns and key insights that are the focus of the theme.
To work as a group to agree suitable key priorities and thematic goals.
To work together as a group to represent those priorities and goals to funders and stakeholders.
To identify ways to support each other, as voluntary and community organisations, and promote sector sustainability.
If considered appropriate, to deliver a Thematic Plan of action which can be used as a basis for joint working, discussion and funding with key stakeholders.
Membership
The membership celebrates diversity and will actively encourage a diverse and inclusive membership. The Thematic Leads are elected from within the Thematic Group of individuals and organisations. These Thematic Leaders will be responsible for convening and chairing meetings, for helping to guide the group in discussion and for passing matters through to the Assembly Board.
