Announcing Gloucestershire Infrastructure Collaborative - a new partnership to support VCSE organisations in Gloucestershire
GRCC is a member of a new partnership which has been created to help Gloucestershire’s charities, community groups and social enterprises to work more closely together as they support local people.
Called the Gloucestershire Infrastructure Collaborative, it brings together a range of organisations from across the county, as well as the NHS and Gloucestershire County Council. The aim is to improve how organisations connect, share knowledge and resources, and work together to meet the needs of local communities.
“We are delighted to be part of this important local partnership of VCSE Infrastructure organisations," said GRCC CEO Barbara Piranty. "Collectively we can help build a stronger Voluntary and Community Sector in Gloucestershire.”
Angela Gilbert, GRCC's Community Development Team Manager, added: "Good quality infrastructure helps VCSE organisations to thrive. We are pleased that this collaborative gives the opportunity to better serve VCSE organisations in Gloucestershire that need support and advice.”
The partnership has been developed following feedback from local VCSE (Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise) organisations. While many groups already work well together, they said there is a need for better coordination, stronger links between organisations, and more joined-up support across the county.
A key focus of the Collaborative is strengthening the support systems that help charities and community groups succeed. This includes:
Helping organisations network and collaborate.
Sharing skills, knowledge and resources.
Supporting volunteers.
Improving connections between local groups, communities and public services.
The Collaborative will support organisations of all sizes, from large charities to small grassroots community groups. It will also act as a collective voice for the sector and help make sure VCSE organisations are recognised as equal partners alongside health and wellbeing services.
The organisations involved include:
Active Gloucestershire
Create Gloucestershire
Feeding Gloucestershire
Forest Voluntary Action Forum (FVAF)
Gloucestershire Rural Community Council (GRCC)
Gloucestershire VCSE Alliance
Inclusion Gloucestershire
The Grace Network
Young Gloucestershire
NHS Gloucestershire
Gloucestershire County Council
Will Chapman, Associate Director (Prevention & VCSE Partnerships), NHS Gloucestershire said: “This is an exciting and important moment for Gloucestershire. The formation of this partnership reflects our shared ambition to work differently, bringing together the knowledge, insight and reach of the VCSE sector with our system partners to better support our communities.
“I’m really looking forward to working alongside colleagues across the partnership as we begin to shape our collective priorities and build a strong, collaborative approach that puts communities at the heart of everything we do.”
