Kingston Voluntary Sector - The Future...
April 2010

KVA is committed to positive engagement between the public, private and third sectors, and partnership working to achieve the greatest benefits and outcomes for Kingston’s residents.  Our vision for a Thriving Third Sector in Kingston would have the following building blocks in place for it to become a reality.

Commissioning - Action must now be taken to resolve the key issues that cause the underlying problems between the statutory and voluntary sectors.

Premises - This has been a priority for the last 20 years.  This must remain a priority in town centre development to house organisations particularly dealing with frontline advice.

Volunteering - It is absolutely vital that volunteering in the Royal Borough of Kingston must be given the necessary profile and investment it now requires.

Infrastructure - A focus on bespoke infrastructure support for local organisations to remain effective.

The Compact - This needs to be rejuvenated to clarify the terms of undertakings between the voluntary sector and all its partners.

The Voluntary Sector Board - This has had strong Council member commitment.  This recently became a part of the strategic planning structure as a sub-group of the Sustainable Communities Partnership.

Representation - Full and meaningful representation of the voluntary sector at all levels of planning and across all partnership boards and their sub-groups.

Small Grants - Invaluable injections of investment for some of the most fragile organisations in the borough.  They have proved to be the generators of innovation, pump priming and project development.  These have come to a standstill and need to be
re-established.

Hilary Garner, Chief Executive, KVA

Have your say in the future of the sector by completing our survey and attending the Voluntary Sector Forum on 13 May.