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Since January, we’ve been listening to local voluntary and community organisations, leaders, and partners to better understand what they need from Hackney CVS. There is clear demand for an infrastructure organisation that is more focused, delivers value, and stands as a visible, trusted champion for the sector.
Hackney CVS is going through a period of organisational change and this next chapter for us is about building on our legacy and partnerships, whilst learning from the past and adapting to today’s challenges. These are some of the hardest times the sector has faced, and we are setting up to serve more effectively and sustainably.
So, we’re re-shaping our services around three interconnected pillars based on what City and Hackney’s voluntary and community sector has expressed it needs.
What we’ve heard, and how we’re responding
The sector has been clear that it needs to be heard, respected, and represented in decision-making that affects communities.
Organisations want stronger advocacy around issues of inequality; safe spaces where they can come together, co-produce solutions and influence and challenge statutory partners when necessary to achieve change.
Hackney CVS will help create conditions for local groups, particularly those led by and serving marginalised communities to affect change. This includes bringing VCS leaders and organisations together to shape and share collective messages, advocating alongside the sector on statutory boards and partnerships, and championing the role of the VCS in tackling inequality and driving positive change.
Local organisations have said they want more opportunities to connect, collaborate, and build trust across the sector. Community groups want spaces that lead to practical solutions and support joint funding opportunities.
Hackney CVS will continue to convene strategic groups, forums and informal spaces to bring together groups working on shared priorities that facilitates peer learning, joint action and strengthens solidarity. We will connect groups across City and Hackney and nurture these relationships so that the VCS can act as a collective movement for change.
VCS groups have highlighted the ongoing challenge of securing resources, building skills, and having space to deliver. Groups have asked for more tailored support, whatever stage their organisation is at. They also called for better visibility of the sector’s value and access to the data that shows the difference the VCS makes.
Hackney CVS will support organisations to access funding, space and in-kind resources. Training and 1-2-1 advice will be tailored to emerging needs and we’ll create opportunities for sharing knowledge and skills. We’ll also hold and share data from across sectors to strengthen services and impact.
Next steps
With renewed clarity about our strategic direction, we are restructuring our organisation to deliver key services as expertly and efficiently as possible.
Funding for our work is limited but over the next few months, we’re focused on bringing in the resources needed to sustain our support for the sector well into the future.
We are liaising with the NHS and local councils to improve structured engagement with the full range of diverse VCS organisations and leaders, and working to bring in the resources needed so that long-standing thematic groups and forums continue to be spaces that local organisations can contribute to and gain value from.
We want the voluntary and community sector to continue to directly inform our work so please provide your feedback and thoughts here.
As things progress at Hackney CVS, we’ll continue to communicate any updates and respond to comments as they come in.
On Monday 6th October, we’re hosting an event to showcase and celebrate the impact of the strategic groups and forums over the last 2 years. We’ll also spend some time looking ahead and discussing developments for the future so register here to find out more.
If you would like to talk through any of the above in person, please email me on bejal@hcvs.org.uk.