Dear Colleagues,
NAVCA (National Association for Voluntary and Community Action) is the national membership body for local infrastructure organisations, supporting the voluntary and community sector in England. They work to amplify the voice of local infrastructure on a national level, as well as supporting members to develop what they do.
This week NAVCA’s CEO Maddy Desforges attended a Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) round table attended by the Prime Minister, the Culture Secretary and leaders from across the VCSE to launch a period of engagement around a ‘Civil Society Covenant’.
The Covenant offers a positive opportunity to reset the relationship between the VCSE and Government and will symbolise the Government’s recognition of the VCSE sector as a trusted and independent partner.
The debate at the round table focused on the need to create a genuine, more equal, partnership between the VCSE and Government which values the different skills, knowledge and expertise. VCSE leaders reflected on the need for sustainable funding to enable the VCSE to fully play its part. There was also a recognition from Government of the need to get policies right to prevent the VCSE having to provide a safety net in the first place.
To find out more about the Covenant framework you could read , review the or check out to support the engagement provides an overview of Keir Starmer and Lisa Nandy’s speeches as well as quotes from Maddy, and other sector leaders.
On a related matter, our survey is still live. We want to say a huge thank you to everyone who has already taken part in our survey. Thanks to your contributions, we’re starting to build a clearer picture of Wolverhampton’s voluntary, community, and social enterprise sector which we will be able to share with you and our partners.
We have some initial findings which are an exciting first step, but we need your voice to complete the picture. By completing the survey, you’ll not only help us understand the sector more fully, but you’ll also benefit by having your organisation’s needs and insights reflected in future support and initiatives.
The survey closes on 31st October, so don’t miss your opportunity to have your say.
Take the survey today and help shape the future of Wolverhampton’s voluntary sector.
Thank you,
Sharon Nanan-Sen
Chief Executive Officer