The partnership, originally established in 2011, brings together Voscur, CVS South Gloucestershire, The Care Forum, Voluntary Action North Somerset, Wesport, West of England Rural Network and the newly formed B&NES Third Sector Group.
The role of the Partnership is to provide:
- leadership, support and coordination for the VCSE sector across the West of England
- a voice and focus for the VCSE sector to engage in, influence and scrutinise policy development at a West of England level with the new and emerging governance structures
Achievements of the Partnership to date:
- Supported the development of and work of the West of England Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP)
- Supported the development of the LEP Economic Strategy, in particular the approach to supporting Social Inclusion
- Enabled the development of and supported a successful grant application to the EU Social Fund Building Better Opportunities programme led by Weston College, which has secured £6 million of funding
- Enabled activity delivered by 25 local VCSE organisations across the West of England to support people furthest from work
The Partnership’s current work includes:
- Supporting the VCSE in its engagement with the West of England Combined Authority (WECA) and Joint Committee
- Working with the WECA Skills Group, the Rural sector group, the Social Enterprise Sector Group and the Growth Hub
- Supporting the development of the Local Industrial Strategy and leading on Inclusive Growth
- Representing the VCSE on the EU Structural Investment Funds Committee
