Questions we are frequently asked.

How will the Collaborative make decisions?

The organisations in the Collaborative will make decisions together using an agreed process. We want to be open and transparent about how decisions are made, so we will publish information about our approach and key decisions as the work develops.

 

How will you share updates and measure progress?

We will regularly share updates on:

  • What the Collaborative has been working on

  • What decisions have been made

  • How often we have met

  • What progress has been achieved

We will also look at the difference our work is making and share what we've learned with the wider VCSE sector to help improve support across Gloucestershire.

 

How can organisations share their views or influence the Collaborative?

We want the Collaborative to be informed by the wider VCSE sector, not just the organisations around the table.

We will do this by:

  • Listening to feedback from organisations and networks across Gloucestershire

  • Working with groups that already bring the sector together

  • Providing a central contact point for questions, ideas and feedback

  • Sharing information between the Collaborative and the wider sector

This will help make sure our decisions reflect the needs of communities and organisations across the county.

 

How were the organisations in the Collaborative chosen?

The organisations were selected through a structured process.

First, 18 organisations were identified as providing support to the VCSE sector across Gloucestershire. These organisations were invited to take part in a survey about the support they provide.

NAVCA, the national body for VCSE infrastructure organisations, then reviewed the responses. They looked at how organisations support the sector through:

  • Leadership and representation

  • Bringing organisations together

  • Supporting charities and community groups

  • Supporting volunteering

The final group was chosen based on the support they provide, their reach across Gloucestershire, their experience, and their connections with different communities and sectors.

The aim was to create a balanced Collaborative that can support VCSE organisations across the whole county.

 

Can other VCSE organisations join the Collaborative?

The Collaborative will remain a core group of organisations. However, there will be many opportunities for other organisations to get involved, share ideas and help shape the work.

We know that meaningful involvement is about more than simply being in the room.

 

Can my organisation apply to join the Collaborative?

Membership is not currently open for applications.

However, we are committed to working with organisations across Gloucestershire and making sure their views help shape the Collaborative's work.

 

Will new members be added in the future?

The membership is expected to remain stable. If an organisation leaves the Collaborative, it may be replaced by another organisation with similar experience and expertise in supporting the VCSE sector.

 

Are organisations paid to be part of the Collaborative?

Organisations are not paid simply for attending meetings.

However, funding is provided to support the time, expertise and resources they contribute to the work of the Collaborative and the wider support they provide to the VCSE sector.

 

How much funding is involved?

The Collaborative manages a shared infrastructure fund of £300,000 per year.

This funding will be used to provide support and services for the wider VCSE sector across Gloucestershire. The detail of this support will be shaped by what organisations and communities tell us they need.

 

Does the Collaborative control funding for other organisations?

No.

A separate Community Capacity Building Fund is being developed. This is different from the infrastructure funding used by the Collaborative.

Details about how organisations can apply for this funding, including eligibility criteria and application processes, will be announced when the fund launches.

Although the two programmes are separate, information and insight gathered through the Collaborative will help inform the future development of both.

 

How long will the Collaborative run for?

The Collaborative is expected to run for at least two years. As the work develops, the model may evolve based on what is working well and what the sector needs.

 

How is this different from other VCSE infrastructure work?

The Collaborative does not replace any existing organisation, network or service.

Instead, it brings key infrastructure organisations together to:

  • Work more closely together

  • Reduce duplication

  • Identify gaps in support

  • Share knowledge and expertise

  • Make sure support is shaped by the needs of the sector

Not every infrastructure organisation in Gloucestershire is a member of the Collaborative, but we will continue to work alongside organisations and networks across the county to deliver the best possible support for the VCSE sector.