Representation / Forums
Voluntary Sector Representation - your chance to influence the local planning processes
1. What is a VCS Rep?
- A Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS) representative is a person who is acting, speaking, or attending a meeting on behalf of the VCS.
2. Why have a VCS Rep?
- VCS Representatives enable the process by which the views and aspirations of the local community are heard and represented.
- The VCS have a great deal to offer in terms of identifying local needs, bridging the gap between the voluntary and statutory sectors and helping to support vulnerable and hard to reach groups.
- National Government guidance has emphasised the inclusion of the VCS in the decision making and service design of statutory services, through The Compact.
3) Who is being represented?
- A Rep attending a forum or sub-group represents a specific interest group or the wider Voluntary Sector.
4) How are representatives elected?
- Organisations should definitely consider the advantages of having a Rep on their staff. New Reps will be required to fill in a Nomination form for their name to go forward for election by their own forum or special interest group.
5) What impacts can Reps make for our community?
You might not be able to change the world; however, being a Rep does mean that you:
- will enable the voice and needs of the community to be heard at Local Authority strategic meetings, where key decisions are made about planned services.
- can help make a difference to how local services are designed and delivered, by working in partnership with CVS Hounslow and the London Borough of Hounslow Council.
- will enable you to input your expertise
- have the opportunity to feedback to the wider sector
- will have the ongoing support of a dedicated representative contact person from CVS Hounslow.
For more information about voluntary sector representation within the statutory sector contact our Networks Development Officer, Sagal Jama: sagal@cvshounslow.org.uk 020 8572 5929 ext 224
