Leicester Partnership - VCS Communities of Interest Representation

Over the next few months there will be a number of events for organisations and groups in the Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS) who represent certain 'communities of interest'. The purpose of the events is -

to find people from the VCS who would be willing and able to become involved in the work of the Leicester Partnership, and represent their VCS ‘community of interest’ on the Partnership, and

to identify a 'host organisation' from each of the seven communities of interest who would be contracted by the Leicester Partnership to help provide some of the support that the representatives will need.

There are 14 places on the Leicester Partnership which are available for people from VCS groups, two for each of the following ‘communities of interest’ -

black and ethnic minority groups
women's groups
groups for disabled people
groups for young people
groups for older people
groups for people of faith / religion
groups for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people

Each representative will be asked to represent voluntary and community groups in their own community of interest.

The events will be held in two stages. The stage 1 events will -

Increase the knowledge and understanding of Leicester’s VCS groups about the role of the Leicester Partnership and how the VCS can inform that work.

Encourage VCS organistions to consider how they would like to engage with and influence the work of the Leicester Partnership in the future.

Provide VCS organisations with a clear understanding of the community of interest representatives' role in the Leicester Partnership and how to nominate candidates.

Explain the role of 'host organisations' to help organistions to decide whether they would be able to take on this role, and discuss the process for selecting 'host organistions'.

Provide information about the second phase events and briefing sessions which will be held in the new year. The briefings will be for those who are interested in taking on the role of representative and / or host organisation.

The Stage 2 events (in the New Year) will then focus on the process of selecting the representatives and the host organistions themselves.

Details of the Stage 1 events that have been organised so far are shown below, and as other events are organised they will be added to the list.

If you would like to attend any of the events you must book in advance. Please complete and return the booking form. Thanks

Events

You can book onto more than one event if you feel it is appropriate for the role of your group or organisation.

Please note that there are two sessions for those who work with BME communities and also two sessions for those that work with children and young people. In each case the session covers the same agenda –so simply attend whichever time is convenient for you.

Community of interest	Date and venue	Time
Women	6^th November Braunstone Grove Cort Crescent	9:30 am – 2:00 pm
Faith and Religion	25^th November VAL, Newarke Street	5.30pm – 9:00 pm
Children and Young People – 1	2^nd December Peepul Centre Orchardson Avenue	1:30 pm –4:30 pm
Children and Young People – 2	2^nd December Peepul Centre Orchardson Avenue	5:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Disability	3^rd December Peepul Centre Orchardson Avenue	9:30 am – 2:00 pm
Older People	4^th December Age Concern Humberstone Gate	9:30 am – 1:00 pm
Lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender	8^th December Dover Castle pub Dover Street	5:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Black and Minority Ethnic – session 1	9^th December Peepul Centre Orchardson Avenue	1:30 pm –4:30 pm
Black and Minority Ethnic – session 2	9^th December Peepul Centre Orchardson Avenue	5:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Nominate a representative or a host organisation

When you have been to one of the events we would like you to tell us who you think should be the representatives and host organistions for your community of interest. If you can't make one of the events you can tell us anyway, but please do try to come to an event beacuse we will be able to eaplain more about what is involve and there will be an opportunity to discuss it with other VCS groups.

To nominate representatives and host organistions download and print the nomination form and send your completed form to VAL.

More information about being a member of the Leicester Partnership

You can find out more about being a representative by clicking here. This document tells you why it is important that the VCS should be involved in the work of the partnership and what the benefots are. It also sets out what the role of representatives is and what is expected of them, plus what support representatives will get to help them in that role.

Get in touch

If you would like any further information or have any questions then please contact one of the following -

Kevin Allen–Khimani Voluntary Action Leicester Policy Manager 0116 257 5007 kevinak@voluntaryactionleicester.org.uk	Cathy Carter Leicester Partnership Team Leicester City Council 0116 252 6719 cathy.carter@leicester.gov.uk
Phillip Parkinson Chair of Leicester Partnership Philip.Parkinson@LeicesterCityPCT.nhs.uk	Dave Brennan Deputy Chair of Leicester Partnership david.brennan@braunstone.com