NIACE has arranged a small meeting, as part of the consultation process, to bring together some external stakeholders and a range of VCS bodies. The aim is to build on the national consultation and help shape a ‘Manifesto’ and Action Plan for the VCSNLA.

Visit Documents for the meeting papers (Agenda, Delegates List, and Consultation Summary Report). Notes from the meeting will also be posted on these pages. The intention is to follow this with a wider consultation on the ‘Manifesto’ and Action Plan in Spring 07.

The 12-week national consultation process produced an overwhelming endorsement of the concept of a strong and influential national ‘voice’ for VCS providers, capable of representing their views to government, funders, and planners.

Headline findings include:

• overwhelming support for the concept of a VCS National Learning Alliance (VCSNLA) (88.4% strongly agree/ agree);
• strong approval for an Alliance consisting of a core decision-making group that is well connected to all relevant VCS networks and forums (81.2% strongly agree/ agree);
• high levels of support for the VCSNLA to undertake the following functions:
  • work with relevant organisations in the VCS, government departments, and other strategic national organisations to support the interests of VCS providers (94.4% strongly agree/ agree);
  • inform VCS providers about major issues and developments affecting their work (94% strongly agree/ agree);
  • advocate and lobby for VCS providers (92.7% strongly agree/ agree);
  • lead on national and strategic responses to matters affecting VCS providers (89.6% strongly agree/ agree); and
  • secure future funding for the Alliance and work towards its sustainability (84.4% strongly agree/ agree).