Area Based VCS Networks
Each of the three areas of Northumberland - the North, South East and West (see map)- have their own voluntary and community sector networks. These are open to all voluntary and community organisations active in the Area they cover. They have 4 main purposes. Guiding principles can be found here.
- provide an Area based perspective for the sector
- provide a mechanism for information, opinion, ideas to be fed up and down
- share best practice & link in with thematic networks
- identify appropriate representation on Partnerships and the VCS Consortium
Contacts
North: George Courtice, georgecourtice@ca-north.org.uk
South East: Thom Bradley, thom.bradley@cvabv.org.uk
West: Mel Hall, melaniehall@ca-north.org.uk
Early days of VCS Area Meetings
At the beginning of June 2008 meetings in Hexham, Ashington and Alnwick were arranged for voluntary and community organisations to find out more about the state of local government reform and for them to identify what was working best and what they wanted to retain or reformed. A summary report is available.
During 2009 and 2010 voluntary and community organisations in the three areas of Northumberland (North, South East and West) met to decide on how best they should organise themselves to respond to the new county structures.
It has recently been agreed in the North to establish a VCS network open to all organisations and groups active in its area; the West is planning to build on the West Northumberland Community Development Network and the South East to build on the Wansbeck network and, in the former Blyth Valley, VCS networks based in Blyth, Seaton Valley and Cramlington.
