voluntary and community sector assembly

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Voluntary and Community Sector Assembly

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A new VCS Assembly for Bristol

To ensure that the voluntary and community sector (VCS) has strong voice and influence.

Clear and structured ways for consultation and representing VCS views.

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The Assembly at a glance

Assembly open to all VCS in Bristol Support more joined-up ‘voice and influence’ for

VCS organisations working across different service areas and neighbourhoods.

Three Assembly Networks to bring people together so that they can influence the changing agenda in health and social care, children and young people’s services and communities and neighbourhoods.

Support to ensure that equalities groups are involved in the Assembly and each Assembly network.

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What has happened so far?

Open invite to join VCS Assembly steering group.

Steering group has met twice.Researched other VCS ‘voice and

influence’ structures.Begun to draft VCS Assembly proposals.Interim network meetings.

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VCS Assembly steering group

Space Trust, the Carers Centre, Advice Network, Hartcliffe and Withywood Community Partnership, Bread Youth Project, Shelter (Bristol), Bristol Older Peoples Forum, Churches Council for Industry and Social Responsibility, Silai for Skills, Bristol and Midland Housing Association, Young Bristol, WECIL, Addiction Recovery Agency, 1625 Independent People.

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VCS Assembly steering group

What the VCS Assembly should and could do.

Who should be involved, how they would be decided?

How representation of the VCS should be agreed.The steering group is helping to inform the VCS Assembly proposal, but will not take final decision.

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Next steps

Finalising the draft VCS Assembly proposal.

Wider consultation with VCS on Assembly proposal between 25 July – 25 October.

Launch Assembly event in November where VCS will be asked to agree Assembly proposal.

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VCS Assembly Consultation

The consultation will include:An online blog where draft proposals for

the VCS Assembly will be published and comments and questions can be posted

Drop in VCS Assembly information sessions (dates to be announced)

One to one meetings with VCS groups (to engage smaller and equalities groups)

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VCS Assembly Consultation

Black and Minority Ethnic 'voice and influence' steering group

A meeting of current VCS reps on Thursday 22 September

Further meetings of the VCS Assembly Steering group who have helped contribute to the draft VCS Assembly proposals

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Find out more?

Children and Young peoples Network

www.voscur.org/networks/children

Neighbourhoods and communities Network

www.voscur.org/networks/neighbourhoodscommunities

Health and Social Care Network

www.voscur.org/networks/healthsocialcare

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Find out more?

www.voscur.org/VCSAssemblySubscribe to fortnightly e-bulletin:

email Charlene@voscur.org Contact Matthew Symondsmatthew@voscur.org0117 909 9949