Information - Empowerment - Development
for the Voluntary and Community sectors in Wigan

Our activities range from traditional group development work to participating at the highest levels of the Local Strategic Partnership in order to promote, protect and develop local strategy engages with all levels of the sector.

Our services and support are provided within four areas  as described below:

Leadership

• Operating  transparently and to the highest ethical standards
• Representing best interests of voluntary and community groups
• Advocating for the VCS
• Promoting co­operation within the voluntary and community sectors
• Encouraging good practice through modelling good governance and all other areas of charitable and company practice
• Providing access to accurate and up to date information
• Developing skills, knowledge and expertise
• Supporting the development of new initiatives to meet the needs of the community
• Having and sharing an overview of local, national and regional voluntary and community action
• Promoting the principles of equality of opportunity

Partnership and Collaboration

• Co-ordinating organisations in areas of common concern
• Developing and maintaining links across the voluntary and community, statutory and private sectors and promoting the ability for all sectors to network with each other
• Assist different community groups to organize their own networking activity
• Assist groups to learn from one another, establish contacts and work more effectively
• Work in partnership with local government and other statutory agencies to identify local need, to shape the delivery of services, and to deliver those services

Giving Voice /Representation

• Enable the diverse views of the local voluntary and community sector to be represented to local statutory bodies and others and, where appropriate, to be a conduit for this representation
• Linking and representing organisations to statutory authorities, regional and central government
• Informing local service design, development and delivery
• Negotiating policy, service delivery and contributing to strategic frameworks
• Facilitating consultation and enabling input and feedback

Services and Support

Communication

• News/ Information  such as our  weekly e-bulletin 
• Policy/ / Identify Emerging Trends and Issues / Educate Sector about Policy frameworks and updates
• Signposting

Services

• Providing a subsidised photocopying and equipment loan service
• Provision of more involved services whenever possible

Group Development 

• Providing information, training and advice on various aspects of support that will underpin the functioning and develop the capacity of local voluntary and community groups  
• Helping new organisations to get started
• Supporting existing organisations to review and develop their work
• Capacity building, including becoming commission ready
• Providing funding and sustainability advice and information
• Volunteering infrastructure and support