Voluntary Sector Liaison OfficerLiz Walthew is the postholder for New Ways Voluntary Sector Liaison Officer in The Bridge. She works closely with a huge range of partnerships connected with community planning, which in the Scottish Borders is called ‘New Ways’. Liz’s role includes building good working relationships with local statutory agencies and other significant organisations and representing the interests of the voluntary sector directly on local partnerships and forums. ( Click here for more details of Partnership Working) To do this she acts as a channel of communication with statutory bodies on issues of relevance to the voluntary sector.
She also acts as a focal point of consultation and action on issues of common concern to the voluntary sector.
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Scottish Borders Compact
A Scottish Borders Compact was launched in June 2005 with the aim of Building a Better Relationship between Public and Voluntary Bodies in the Scottish Borders. It has been accepted by the Voluntary Sector, Scottish Borders Council and the New Ways Partners.
The local Compact complements the Scottish Compact between the Scottish Executive and the Voluntary Sector.
To make sure that the document is used effectively and well known, an action plan has been developed. This is not part of the main document but a separate working paper. The wide ranging actions are taken forward by a Compact Officers Group which consists of members from the New Ways main partners and representatives from the Voluntary Sector Liaison Group.
Many of the original actions have been completed, some are ongoing and some new ones are in the process of being added.
Click here to download a copy of The Compact and here for a copy of the Action Plan. One of the first actions was the production of a Volunteer Charter which was launched and agreed by all New Ways partners on 12th June 2006. The development of the Charter was led by Volunteer Centre Borders and it aims to ensure a minimum standard for volunteers and organisations across the Scottish Borders. In September 2007 a further document was produced led by the Compact Officers Group. This is called the Partnership Protocol and its aim is to ensure that partnerships are fair and equitable. Click on the bold title to download a copy of either document. |
Voluntary Sector Liaison Group
Liz facilitates the Voluntary Sector Liaison Group which is a forum of local voluntary forums and networks. This group meets quarterly and communicates by email between meetings to share information, skills and experience. The group also encourages joint working and planning and is responsible for taking forward the Compact Action Plan. Liz also has a role to support organisations and networks to represent themselves to appropriate agencies and the VSLG members assist with this.
Members are: - Youth Borders
- Borders Sports Development Group
- Scottish Borders Elder Voice
- Borders Community Care Forum
- Volunteer Centre Borders
- Scottish Borders Housing Forum
- Borders Childcare Partnership
- Borders Disability Forum
- Scottish Borders Environment Forum
- Borders Community Transport Network
- Borders Social Enterprise Chamber
- Scottish Borders Community Council Network
- Borders Citizens Advice Network
The representatives have agreed that they will act on behalf of their particular groups and make sure that there is good communication both to and from their members.
The members of the Voluntary Sector Liaison Group are keen to develop the profile of the group and are hopeful that it will become an initial point of contact for any body, agency or organisation wishing to consult with or report to the wider voluntary sector. The group produced a Voluntary Sector Manifesto which was sent to all candidates prior to the last elections.
Scottish Borders Council and NHS Borders both send a member of their staff to the VSLG in an advisory capacity and the group is attended by the elected Scottish Borders Council Voluntary Sector Champion – Councillor Len Wise. Specialist Youth Providers NetworkA Network of Specialist Youth Providers from the voluntary sector has recently been formed and this group is able to inform Liz about issues relating to the important services they provide.
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Scottish Borders Voluntary Sector Conference
With colleagues employed by The Bridge and Berwickshire Association for Voluntary Service, and in partnership with Volunteer Centre Borders and the Voluntary Sector Liaison Group Liz organises an annual Voluntary Sector Conference on issues of importance to the local voluntary sector. The next Conference is planned for later this year and will be publicised on this site.
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This site is hosted by Online Borders
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