Who we are
Background to B&NES CVS
What is a CVS?
Bath and NE Somerset CVS is a project managed by CVS North Wiltshire, a Registered Charity and Company Limited by Guarantee, which is an independent Local Development Agency run by paid staff and volunteers and managed by a voluntary Executive Committee. Our aim is to support and develop the local voluntary sector and enable it to be more effective through the provision of our 5 core service delivery areas:
1. Support
2. Networking and Liaison
3. Representation
4. Strategic Partnerships
5. Development.
In addition to this we provide a range of 'add on' services in partnership with other voluntary sector or statutory partners to meet the sector's needs.
Core funding for this work comes through a Service Level Agreement with the Local Authority. We seek other funding from many sources, both to set up projects and to broaden our core funding base. We work with the Local Authority and others in the development of the Local Strategic Partnership, the Compact, the Training Partnership, the VCS Steering Group and other partnership initiatives to improve the way we work together. We also co-operate with other infrastructure support agencies such as The Care Forum, Racial Equality Council, Community Action, WECIL and others.
We work closely with local voluntary organisations and community groups, including our sister organisations in Wiltshire, Somerset and Gloucestershire, and have good working relationships with local and regional government, bodies representing housing, health and education, and other public agencies.
We have developed the Voluntary Sector Forum to provide a structure through which all voluntary and community sector groups in Bath and North East Somerset can come together to address strategic issues that affect them. We encourage groups to become members of B&NES CVS to help build a stronger voice for the local voluntary sector. Membership of B&NES CVS is free (visit our Members section to download an application form).
A Council for Voluntary Service (CVS) is a voluntary organisation which is set up, owned and run by local groups to support, promote and develop local voluntary and community action.
Usually funded by the local authority and other local statutory agencies, there is a CVS working in almost every district and city in England. Individual CVS differ in character and size, although they usually work to the same geographical boundaries as the local authority. They also differ in name. Many are called CVS, while others might be called Voluntary Action or Voluntary Sector Council.
B&NES CVS operates within the area boundaries of Bath and North East Somerset council. We accept and encourage membership from all voluntary sector organisations working within the Bath and North East Somerset area.