Representation

Sunderland CVS is the infrastructure orgnisation for the voluntary and community sector in Sunderland and has liaison and representation within the voluntary and community sector and between sectors as one of its core roles. This is fulfilled both by directly convening and servicing specific interest groups, forums, networks and one-off meetings, as well as through linking to other established networks and providing regular information and mailings to the sector.

It is a core function of Sunderland CVS to promote and support partnership working within the voluntary and community sector and between this sector and the public and private sectors. Through partnership working Sunderland CVS seeks to ensure that the expertise and experience of voluntary and community organisations is shared, enabling the planning and delivery of services in Sunderland to benefit from the knowledge, skills and local connections of the many voluntary and community organisations.

Sunderland CVS seeks to ensure that all parts of the voluntary sector are able to have an opportunity to be involved in some capacity with partnership working, to have their needs taken into account and to have their views heard. It aims to assist the representation of voluntary sector views to public sector agencies and to enable voluntary and community sector people involved on partnerships to be accountable to the wider VCS.

Sunderland CVS also acts in a leadership role, using its specialist knowledge and experience to ensure that policy and strategy development at a local, national and regional level reflects the changing needs of the voluntary and community sector in Sunderland.

Where Sunderland CVS represents the sector as a whole, it aims to provide an independent voice for the sector, reflecting a broad overview of the wide-ranging interests and concerns expressed by voluntary and community groups, as well as acting as a facilitator to offer organisations individual and collective opportunities, so as to make their views known directly.

Sunderland CVS Membership is open to all voluntary and community groups active in Sunderlandwhich support its broad charitable aims. Support and development is offered to all groups.

Sunderland CVS strives to survey satisfaction levels of our members on a regular basis and feed these into the development of Sunderland CVS's business plan, where resources permit.