VAC is the umbrella body for the voluntary and community sector in Camden. We work with local residents, community groups and organisations, as well as local business and statutory and public partners, to develop and support community action and activity in Camden. We advocate and provide a ‘voice’ for the sector and local residents to ensure the needs of the sector and the community are heard, represented and acted-on by those in strategic and decision making bodies.
VAC is what is known as an “infrastructure organisation” but that doesn’t mean much to most people! Actually, for a small organisation, VAC does lots of different work, both with local community organisations, and more directly in the community itself through community based projects and activities. A less well know area of work we are busy working away at is the strategic work we do in raising the profile of the voluntary and community sector in Camden. Our services poster helps put all this together. Take a look below.
The following diagram developed by the Value of Infrastructure Programme, broadly explains the functions of infrastructure organisations like VAC.
What does our work involve?
Develop
Direct support
We provide direct support to organisations to build their organisational capacity and development potential. We also help organisations to access shared services so they become more cost effective and sustainable. You can find out more about the range of developmental support available at VAC on our Support pages.
Facilitated learning
We run training, workshops and seminars to enable civil society organisations, individuals and communities to access high quality and diverse learning opportunities which enables them to respond to changing and emerging demands on the sector. We also offer more in-depth facilitated learning opportunities, such as accredited qualification in management, finance and governance and the opportunity to enroll as or gain support from a dedicated peer-mentor. You can also find a range of online learning resources and toolkits on our website.
Information, Advice and Guidance
VAC has received the Matrix quality mark for our Information, Advice and Guidance service. We also help other organisations to achieve recognised quality standards, such as Matrix and PQASSO. We enable civil society organisations to access relevant information, guidance and/or general advice through our website, telephone and email advice, news e-bulletins and policy briefings and by signposting to other relevant organisations.
Connect
Networking
Networking helps to coordinate the diverse voices of individuals and civil society organisations across Camden to share good practice, lobby and campaign, and have a positive impact on wider agendas. We establish opportunities and develop structures for networking through forums, events, social media presence, news and updates.
Collaboration
We support and empower individuals, groups and communities to collaborate with each other and with other sectors and become actively involved in civil society, particularly those that are socially excluded. We also promote and facilitate cross-sector-working.
Brokering
We help to broker services and shares resources for and with the sector by: finding volunteers, trustees and staff; referrals; bulk-purchasing and facilities and back office services such as office space and hot-desking.
Influence
Consultation
We initiate and support consultation processes that are inclusive and meaningful through consultation exercises, facilitating engagement with statutory consultations and intelligence gathering (top-down from strategic/partnership boards and bottom-up through our close ties, working with organisations).
Representation
We facilitate civil society organisations’ participation and self-advocacy in partnerships and other multi-agency structures through advocacy work, being on partnership bodies and advisory boards and by identifying threats and opportunities at a strategic level to feed back to the organisations, individuals and communities we work with.
Promotion
We support and empower individuals, groups and communities to present their views to external bodies and play an integral part in decision-making and the design and delivery of services. We also communicate, advocate and lobby for the common and diverse interests of the sector.
Contact
Building Administration Team
Tel: 020 7284 6553 Email: acharles@vac.org.uk
