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GAVCA News
Voluntary groups help make Gloucester “a place where all people matter”
On July 15 staff and volunteers joined together with city councillors and council officers to celebrate the contribution that Gloucester’s thriving and diverse voluntary and community sector (VCS) make to the city.
At a packed event at North Warehouse, senior Council officials, and staff from across the council’s departments were able to meet staff, volunteers and service users from some of the many organisations that the City Council supports, and find out how VCS services complement and enhance their work. Cllr Kathy Williams, the Cabinet Member of Communities and Neighbourhoods, welcomed everyone to the third such annual event that the City Council had hosted in order to build on the strong relationship between the City Council and the Voluntary Sector. A DVD presentation then demonstrated the many ways that, through the Council’s investment, charities and community groups help the city to achieve its priorities, including making Gloucester “a place where all people matter.”
Sally Pickering, Chief Executive of GAVCA, said “We are really fortunate in Gloucester that the City Council has long recognised the valuable contribution that the voluntary and community sector makes to the city and the importance of continuing to provide grant funding. The groups funded by the City Council bring in significant additional funding (£6million in 2008-9) to the city to provide vital services to some of the most vulnerable and disadvantaged people in the community. This makes the investment really good value for money at a time when budgets are so tight.”
In her closing remarks, the Mayor of Gloucester, Cllr Jan Lugg, thanked everyone for their important work, noting how crucial such services will be in the difficult financial times ahead.
Sally Pickering added “With the financial challenges that are facing everyone, it is more important than ever that we work with partners to find solutions to our shared priorities and ensure that the voices of marginalised communities are not lost. The VCS will have an increasingly important role to play in the Big Society of the future and we look forward to continuing to work closely with the City Council to develop this positively and in partnership.”
Social Enterprise Forum Statement July 2010
Providers and funders of social enterprise in Gloucestershire have come together to establish a new forum to ensure that social enterprise is recognised as a successful business model in Gloucestershire. The forum brings together the experience and expertise of agencies including Social Enterprise Centre, Gloucestershire Rural Community Council, Co-operative Futures, GAVCA and Gloucestershire First all of whom seek to support local social enterprise.
Examples of social enterprise and support provided include Global Bee Project (more details on www.secglos.org.uk in case studies) and Down Ampney Community Shop (more details on www.swan-network.org.uk/uploads/documents/caseportalofinformation.pdf)
Quote from Clare Mahdiyone ‘Its really good to have an open forum, informing each other and collaborating to promote social enterprise in Gloucestershire’
For further info contact Chair Clare Mahdiyone at Social Enterprise Centre, The Exchange, Brick Row, Stroud, Glos GL5 1DF or 01453 762271 or www.secglos.org.uk
75-81 Eastgate Street
Gloucester GL1 1PN
01452 332424