Calderdale VCSE Strategic Advocates
Last year the Calderdale VCSE Strategy was launched, providing a clear foundation for partners in the VCSE sector, Calderdale Council and Calderdale’s Integrated Care Board to shape and strengthen how we work together in partnership over the coming years.
In order to build on the successful co-design ethos established during the creation of the strategy, we’re drawing together Task & Finish groups to identify and progress the next steps in co-delivery of the strategic aims. Focusing this year on three of the nine aims (Strategic Advocates, Volunteering, and Our Ways of Working) members for these Task & Finish groups will come from the VCSE Sector, Council and Health.
Purpose of the Strategic Advocates Task & Finish Group
The overarching purpose of this group is to create a framework that ensures the VCSE sector is represented at the right meetings by the most appropriate people, and the flow of information to and from these meetings is timely and far reaching.
Tasks for members will include:
- Exploring the value of meetings, events, engagement and partnership boards where VCSE representation is required
- Reviewing the roles and expectations of current VCSE representatives on formal and public sector decision-making boards and forums, including how representatives communicate with the sector
- Identifying opportunities for representatives to hear VCSE voices and share learning
- Establishing a range of clear mechanisms, processes and approaches for ensuring VCSE voices are heard, and their views are captured
- Identifying rarely heard groups and explore ways to include their perspectives
- And finally, establishing a network of Strategic Advocates who will represent the sector across a range of meetings and events.
For this Task & Finish group to run smoothly, retain its autonomy, and achieve its goals, members will need to demonstrate commitment and enthusiasm for co-identified outcomes.
The group will also require a dedicated Chair to guide the work going forward, ensure there is agreed clarity on the scope and expectations of the work, and be able to guide members to identify clear and measurable outcomes to enable successful delivery of actions.
Ways of Working for the Group
Members must be able to attend meetings & complete agreed tasks in the timeframe identified and at agreed milestones. The number of meetings and tasks will be identified by the group themselves.
At the end of the project, a donation will be made to the VCSE organisations represented in the group. The Chair’s organisation will be paid for their time on the project as a reflection of the work and responsibilities of the role.
We are anticipating membership of this group will be from 1st August 2025 to 30th November 2025.
