WELCOMERepresentation of the Voluntary & Community Sector in Walsall

Walsall Voluntary Action

January 2011

Why representation?

• Because you told us so.

• From April 2010 all local organisations on WVA’s mailing lists have been contacted and asked about the things that are most important to them and the services that they would most value from ourselves.

• Top of the list was funding

• Second was representation

Looking at our options

• Resources are extremely limited for everyone

• Talking shops are a no no.

• Structures are changing as the public sector re-structures.

• The sector needs a voice to talk about its most pressing issues that affect numerous organisations.

What we needed to do

• Influence decision makers at the top• Use our time wisely• Develop an accessible model thinking about the

very smallest groups• Support local organisations to lead any model

themselves and take ownership• Develop a model that is led by the sector and on

our terms, independent and not reliant on and statutory funding. (without strings)

• Respect relationships that are already there and do not duplicate

What WVA have done

• Linked in directly with the decision makers & gained their agreement.

• Shown leadership from within

• Developed a starting model

Representation Model

• 5 Council Directorates• Children’s Services• Executive Director - Pauline Pilkington• Social Care & Inclusion• Executive Director – Paul Davies• Regeneration• Executive Director - Tim Johnson • Neighbourhood Services• Executive Director - Jamie Morris• Resources / Working Smarter• Executive Director - Rory Borealis

Representation Model• 5x VCS Link representatives• Children’s Services• Wayne Palmer• Social Care & Inclusion• Ken Whittingham• Regeneration• Julie Haywood• Neighbourhood Services• Mike Lee• Resources / Working Smarter• Ian Willetts

What Next

• Hear about our hopes for representation

• How it develops is up to you! • You decide how these model structures develop

& grow.

• Meet the WVA trustees leading on their development.

• You are involved from the very start.• Lets ensure the sector is raising its profile

Join in and Engage

• If you are not already a member of WVA then you should be.

• WVA will shortly be launching a new membership offer to its new and existing members whereby you could save £100’s on services that you need and benefit from the best support for your organisation.

• Look out for our new membership & services leaflet that you will soon be receiving.

• For a copy of this presentation and a lot more on representation visit

www.walsallva.org.uk/representation