Voluntary and Community Sector Support Unit (VCS)

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What is the Communities and Voluntary Sector Support Unit?

The unit was set up in July 2009 as the result of a recommendation to Cabinet – one of the suggested outcomes of the Voluntary and Community Services (VCS) Review (a joint review undertaken with the council, NHS Wiltshire and voluntary and community sector organisations).

The aims of the unit are to provide clear information on policy and practice relating to the council’s relationship with VCS organisations; support the VCS in relation to information about grant funding; provide information within and outside the council about the types and amounts of VCS activity funded by the Council/NHS Wiltshire; advise officers and councillors about VCS developments, issues and news; ensure that the other relevant proposals from the VCS review are taken forward appropriately; ensure that council spending in the VCS is spent wisely and fairly to achieve the best results for Wiltshire residents.

What is their work plan?

• To develop consistency of VCS Funding and to align spending with Council priorities
• Develop new VCS funding and performance monitoring frameworks with the sector
• Work with the VCS to ensure that Wiltshire has a thriving Voluntary & Community Sector
• Implement the outcomes of the review of Wiltshire Compact – the set of principles within which the Public Sector and the VCS work together.
• Provide support and training within the Council and in communities about how VCS activity can strengthen communities
• Work to increase volunteering in the County and to publicize the benefits volunteering can bring to the individual, to the Council and to communities.

Links to current projects

Volunteering

Wiltshire Money Bank and tackling financial exclusion

Military and Civilian Integration

Community Covenant Grant Scheme

Compact

VCS Awards

Corporate Equality and Inclusion

Other useful links

Volunteers Policy

Volunteer Centre Wiltshire

Volunteering - how to involve disabled people

Localism - how to involve disabled people

Disability Equality Training - for voluntary, public and private organisations

Contact details

Community and Voluntary Sector Support Unit
Wiltshire Council
Library HQ (Chapman's)
Bythesea Road
Trowbridge, Wiltshire
BA14 8BS

vcs@wiltshire.gov.uk

0300 456 0100

Last updated: 16 January 2012