With increased strain on public services and funding, the voluntary and community sector and local authorities should look to work in partnership and to share expertise and resources as this would offer clear benefits to the people that need assistance, especially within key areas such as health, disability and young people.
During the course of the day there were several keynote speakers, which included city leaders, as well as local and national third sector representatives. Interactive workshops also provided an opportunity to learn and share ideas, knowledge and skills.
At the close of the event, the following conclusions stood out:
- Closer collaboration is needed between cross-sector organisations on strategies to address the recession. Whilst there are some existing partnerships are in place, more needs to be done to ensure a sustainable and relevant recession plan is taken forward by way of real actions as soon as possible.
-It is essential to for the public and voluntary sectors to share knowledge around the support and services that are available for local people. This would allow better co-ordination of access to services in the city for residents that most need them and would help to identify any specific gaps.
- With increased strain on funding streams, more support is needed to help community and voluntary organisations work together in partnership. The public sector commissioning and procurement processes also need to be demystified and made more accessible to allow local specialist community service experts and providers to become part of the support chain.
Sally Hiscock, CEO, Brighton and Hove Community and Voluntary Sector Forum commented:
“The conference achieved its aims of identifying how the public and community sectors can work better together to support the residents of Brighton and Hove. It became apparent that with the additional strain placed on public services and funding, that better partnerships with specialist community organisations could help to address some of the crucial challenges residents are facing. These include financial literacy awareness and understanding, and mental health support.”
A full report will be publicly available shortly and will feature an action plan based on recommendations made and conclusions drawn.
The conference hosted at the Ramada Jarvis hotel was the first event of its kind in Brighton and Hove and was been co-ordinated by the third sector support organisations;
MEDIA ENQUIRIES
Fay MacDonald, Director, Diosa Media
07880 896 131 fay@diosamedia.com
FURTHER INFORMATION
Brighton and Hove Community and Voluntary Sector Forum (CVSF) has over 500 members and provides a strong voice to ensure the community and voluntary perspective is included in decisions which affect the people who live, work and play in Brighton and Hove.
As an independent charity, it provides the space, support and information its members need to work together and influence local policies and practices. Its specialist projects around children and young people, community empowerment, and health and social care bring together members who are experts in their fields, to drive up the standards of services available to local people and communities
http://www.cvsectorforum.org.uk/
Sally Hiscock, CEO, CVSF 01273 234000 info@cvsectorforum.org.uk
The Working Together Project (WTP) is dedicated to meeting the workforce development and community capacity building needs of the Third Sector and the Public Sector by offering a wide range of creative and partnership based training, learning and education. WTP is committed to community empowerment, reducing inequality and improving services to disadvantaged people and communities
http://www.workingtogetherproject.org.uk/
Paul Bramwell, Chair, Working Together Project , 01273 234773 enquiries@workingtogetherproject.org.uk
