NVSC - Newham Voluntary Sector Consortium

One Newham Many Voices

September 17, 2008

Since 2003 NVSC have held sector meetings - at the request of the sectors these have traditionally been held separately for each sector with a joint meeting happening once a year.

NVSC resumed the meetings in July - kicking off with the Voluntary Sector. There was excellent debate, at all 3 sector meetings, which centred around how we organise ourselves in the future.

There was a really strong feeling that, as the Third Sector we need to stand as one and recognise our strength - to make our voices heard - and ensure that the sectors fully participate at all levels on the Local Strategic Partnership. There was frustration that for the past year we have had no elected representatives on the decision making Newham Partnership Board. This has essentially meant that the involvement in the development of the Local Area Agreement has been fairly limited.

It was agreed that the sectors issue a statement - and that this would be included in the NVSC mail out. All groups would be encouraged to sign up to the One Newham Many Voices campaign.

It was also agreed that instead of holding separate meetings we would hold 2 joint sector meetings a year where all 3 sectors would come together to discuss common issues facing the sectors in supporting and strengthening the communities in which we work.

The Faith Sector felt that although they would wish to fully participate in the joint meetings that there were issues that were of particular interest to the faith communities and that they would wish to continue to hold the Faith Sector Forum.

You will find the One Newham Many Voices leaflet enclosed with this newsletter and we would encourage all organisation in Newham to sign up to the statement.

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