Home of our Quality Assurance Standard
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The need for an Advocacy Programme was raised during the co-production phase of the VCSE Strategy for Calderdale. It was identified that due to capacity issues within the VCSE sector, it was difficult for adequate sector representation to attend the large number of strategic and partnership meetings that take place across public systems, including health and care.
A strategic advocacy programme enables colleagues from across the VCSE sector to share the responsibility of attending key strategic and partnership meetings on behalf of the VCSE sector.
VAC’s Strategic Advocates programme offers a payment to Advocates for preparing for and attending key meetings on behalf of the VCSE sector.
In return, Advocates commit to preparing for meetings, taking notes and actions from the meeting, and providing feedback on themes and actions to the VCSE Sector.
Jonny is the Chief Officer for Healthy Minds (Calderdale Wellbeing), bringing over 30 years of experience in both the voluntary and statutory sectors, with a strong focus on mental health support.
A passionate advocate for the voluntary sector within the health and social care system, Jonny has played a key role in driving collaboration across sectors. His work extends beyond Calderdale, contributing to national and regional initiatives aimed at improving partnerships and enhancing support for those experiencing mental health challenges.
Committed to making a lasting impact, Jonny continues to champion the role of community-led services in shaping a more inclusive and accessible mental health system.
After 14 years in Further Education, Louise’s life took a new direction when she began volunteering to support the refugee crisis. This passion led her to found Focus4Hope in September 2016, a community group that has since grown into a well-established charity.
Focus4Hope support the most vulnerable in our community, running regular fundraising events and vital initiatives. Their Help the Homeless events take place fortnightly in Leeds and Halifax, working under the Leeds Food Aid Network and alongside other charities to provide essential support. The charity also focuses on tackling loneliness among the elderly, hosting afternoon teas, Christmas dinners, and day trips to museums, theatres, and scenic spots.
Their Friday Food Club—developed in partnership with Food Savers—operates as a pioneering social supermarket, offering affordable food to those in need. Additionally, the team also collaborate with Noah’s Ark to provide financial guidance and budgeting courses, while our community hub in Brighouse delivers group sessions to combat social isolation.
Beyond her work, Louise is married with two children and enjoys traveling, reading, and staying active.
VAC are still looking for VCSE Strategic Advocates for the following:
For this programme to deliver the right outcomes for the VCSE sector in Calderdale, it is vital that those applying for an advocate role have the necessary strategic understanding, resource capacity, and commitment to representing the wider sector (not just your own organisation). By completing this Expression of Interest, you are confirming you have the understanding, capacity and commitment that Calderdale needs.
You will receive a VAC Member welcome pack with useful information on getting the most out of your membership and a few extra treats!
Every member of VAC will be invited to our Annual General Meeting (AGM) and has voting rights for resolutions and proposals either in person or by proxy.
When you sign up to be a VAC Member, you will be assigned a Go-To Contact from the VAC team.
They will be your main point of contact for your membership, helping to answer questions and signposting you to the right place within VAC and/or our partnerships.
We want the VAC membership offer to be responsive to the needs of our members. Member check ins keep us up to date on your organisation’s news and developments but also on any challenges or support gaps that may be affecting the VCSE sector.
The information we receive during our member check ins will highlight trends and challenges that we can then explore support and solutions for via our membership offer and partnerships with local providers and authorities.
To support VAC members to feel connected and informed, we have created a unique Member Area on the VAC Website.
The online dashboard will keep you and your colleagues up to date on the latest member opportunities, training and news.
The Member Area also has a forum function, allowing VAC Member organisations to interact and support each other.
A quarterly newsletter to keep our members up to date on not only VAC Membership updates and opportunities but also specifically created content on topics of interest to the local voluntary, community and social enterprise sector.
The Bimonthly Member Network is for VAC Members to connect with other VAC Members!
A perfect opportunity to support one another, find out about other local services and explore new collaborative opportunities and partnerships with fellow VAC members.
40% Discount on VAC Room Hire – We offer a range of flexible rooms for hire located in Halifax, West Yorkshire. Our rooms include a fully equipped, large training room with SMART board and flipchart facilities seating up to 25 theatre style, two smaller meeting rooms seating up to 12 and a small office with computer facilities suitable for one-to-one meetings or rent-a-desk.
25% Discount on Virtual Office – Perfect for start ups or smaller organisations, our Virtual Office service offers a postal address, pigeonhole and reception facilities.
25% Discount on ID Badge Printing – Competitively priced to accommodate for smaller orders, our in-house ID Badge service supports both design and printing.
Based on feedback and insight we gain from our members, our training and events offer will complement local infrastructure support training programmes.
All sessions are cost effective and VCSE sector driven. As a VAC + Member, you will receive a considerable discount on all VAC Training and Events.
You will receive a VAC Member welcome pack with useful information on getting the most out of your membership and a few extra treats!
Every member of VAC will be invited to our Annual General Meeting (AGM) and has voting rights for resolutions and proposals either in person or by proxy.
When you sign up to be a VAC Member, you will be assigned a Go-To Contact from the VAC team.
They will be your main point of contact for your membership, helping to answer questions and signposting you to the right place within VAC and/or our partnerships.
We want the VAC membership offer to be responsive to the needs of our members. Member check ins keep us up to date on your organisation’s news and developments but also on any challenges or support gaps that may be affecting the VCSE sector.
The information we receive during our member check ins will highlight trends and challenges that we can then explore support and solutions for via our membership offer and partnerships with local providers and authorities.
To support VAC members to feel connected and informed, we have created a unique Member Area on the VAC Website.
The online dashboard will keep you and your colleagues up to date on the latest member opportunities, training and news.
The Member Area also has a forum function, allowing VAC Member organisations to interact and support each other.
A quarterly newsletter to keep our members up to date on not only VAC Membership updates and opportunities but also specifically created content on topics of interest to the local voluntary, community and social enterprise sector.
The Bimonthly Member Network is for VAC Members to connect with other VAC Members!
A perfect opportunity to support one another, find out about other local services and explore new collaborative opportunities and partnerships with fellow VAC members.
20% Discount on VAC Room Hire – We offer a range of flexible rooms for hire located in Halifax, West Yorkshire. Our rooms include a fully equipped, large training room with SMART board and flipchart facilities seating up to 25 theatre style, two smaller meeting rooms seating up to 12 and a small office with computer facilities suitable for one-to-one meetings or rent-a-desk.
Competitive rate on ID Badge Printing – Competitively priced to accommodate for smaller orders, our in-house ID Badge service supports both design and printing.
Based on feedback and insight we gain from our members, our training and events offer will complement local infrastructure support training programmes.
All sessions are cost effective and VCSE sector driven.
