South West Forum Supporting.

Voluntary groups to be effective, collaborative influential and independent.

Local authorities and public agencies to have strong partnerships with voluntary groups.

Businesses to work with voluntary groups to mutual advantage.a

South West Forum has been supporting the South West’s 70,000 social purpose organisations since 2000. The Forum has an excellent reputation nationally and we work closely with other similar networks in England through Regional Voices We believe that the work of voluntary groups is fundamental to an effective and healthy democratic societya

Supporting and enabling groups to be better at doing what they want to do drives all our work.a

We provide support, advice and consultancy in many fields but our key areas of expertise lie in:

Organising conferences, workshops and other eventsDeveloping and managing networksIndependent facilitation and chairingBrokering and supporting consortia and partnershipsAdvice and workshops on demonstrating impactTraining and support on voice, influence & campaigningPolicy interpretation, analysis and adviceAdvice and support on commissioning strategies Support on contracting & sub-contracting relationshipsDeveloping online resources and social networks Voluntary sector involvement in new structuresa

Key achievements and activities during 2010 and 2011

Big Society

9 local Big Society Roadshow events across the region attracting over 500 people

House of Commons reception for South West MPs

Vital and Voluntary - An action agenda for strong and dynamic South West voluntary and community organisations sent to all SW parliamentary candidates before the election and all MPs after.

Understanding Big Society and Localism Conference for the public sectora

Key achievements and activities during 2010 and 2011

Impact

Proving Our Value research projects commissioned from local university/voluntary sector partnerships.

Online links and ‘signposting’ to resources and tools for measuring impact in place by end 2011.a

Key achievements and activities during 2010 and 2011

Voice

Who’s Listening to the Big Society report published

Successful programme of workshops for workers supporting the voice of voluntary organisations, including Equal Voices, Equal Rights event and training in the Axis of Influence frameworks.

Support, advice, workshops to 19 local networks on voice and influencea

Key achievements and activities during 2010 and 2011

Influencing health reform

4 consultation events on health and social care reform including 2 Future Forum listening and engagement events. Input reflected in national Future Forum report

Constructive “roundtable” event on voluntary sector involvement in Health and Wellbeing Boards. Will use this model for other policy discussions.

Major South West conference, Healthy Communities, in November 2010 with Richard Wilkinson, author of The Spirit Level as a keynote speaker.a

Key achievements and activities during 2010 and 2011

Working with LEPs

The Vital Link, research report on voluntary and social enterprise involvement in LEPs, published and widely circulated including to LEP Board members.

Supported 5 local LEP roadshow events across the South West. LEPs with Social Purpose report from these events published Autumn 2011.a

Key achievements and activities during 2010 and 2011

Collaboration and networking

Built the Community Learning, Employment and Skills Partnership (CLESP) to help voluntary groups secure Skills Funding Agency and other contracts. Now has over 120 members.

Supported the South West network for local authority officers working with the voluntary sector – valued by participants.a

Key achievements and activities during 2010 and 2011

Information and communication

Regular specialist e-bulletins available to all via our websiteMonthly newsletters sent to all membersDisseminating the latest news, stories and policy updates via Twitter (800 followers and rising), Facebook and LinkedIna

41 conferences, workshops and seminars since 2010 – attracting over 1800 people

Regular communication with over 2000 individual and 1200 organisation contacts “Inspiring, fun, very well

delivered, empowering” “I don’t usually give 10/10 but I couldn’t think of what could have been better” “Lots of new information and positive suggestions” “So relevant to where we are at as an organisation”a

South West Forum Unit A1, The Innovation Centre, University of Exeter, Rennes Drive, Exeter EX4 4RN

01392 247901

admin@southwestforum.org.uk www.southwestforum.org.uk @southwestforum

South West Forum

South West Foruma