Forums

Voluntary Sector Forum (VSF)

The Voluntary Sector Forum (VSF) is the successor to the Social Inclusion Forum (SIF) and, like the SIF did, the VSF feeds into the Community Planning Structure, including the Social Inclusion Partnership (SIP).

The VSF offers a chance for voluntary organisations to receive feedback from the Community Planning Partnership etc and to discuss issues of relevance to the sector.

Feedback is regularly received from various bodies, including:

  • Community Planning Partnership Steering and Development Groups;
  • Community Learning and Development Partnership;
  • Health Improvement Partnership;
  • Social Inclusion Partnership;
  • Community Health Partnership;
  • Children's Services Planning Group;
  • and from the following VSF sub-groups:
    • Voluntary Sector Children's sub-group and
    • Voluntary Sector Adult Protection sub-group.

In addition, regular agenda items have included:

  • Funding;
  • Charity Law; and
  • Equalities.

There is also the opportunity for those present to raise issues of importance at the meeting.

There is also usually an invited speaker talking about an organisation, service, consultation etc. It is also a useful way of finding out what is happening in Midlothian and an opportunity to make contacts.

The Forum has a large and wide membership, and any voluntary sector organisation based in and/or working in Midlothian is welcome to join.

Further details are available from George Wilson or Margaret Nisbet, tel: 0131 663 9471. Information on meetings is also available on the MVA Events Calendar.

To widen representation of the sector, for example, in community planning groups, two sub-groups were set up: