The Central West London Training & Employment Network brings together voluntary sector organizations across twelve boroughs to collaborate on training and skills opportunities. Competition from large companies puts smaller voluntary groups at risk. The London Voluntary Service Council (LVSC) helps the network by providing expertise, information on funding changes, and facilitating communication between members and government on opportunities like the European Social Fund. LVSC also assists individual members with training, support, and building capacity.

1. Sharpening
Network
Focus
The Central West London Training & Employment
Network brings together voluntary sector providers
working in training and skills across twelve
boroughs. Intense competition, especially from
large primes, has meant that voluntary sector
organisations are at risk of being marginalised.
The network is a space in which members, who
range from very small grass roots community
organisations to pan London voluntary community
and social enterprise sector (VCSE) groups, can
cooperate and collaborate in meeting future
challenges.
Pathways to Sustainability
Central West London Training
& Employment Network
Clarissa Stoneham
Senior Management Team,
Hammersmith and Fulham Citizens Advice Bureau
Contact: Clarissa.stoneham@hfcab.org.uk
LVSC helped with
• independent, impartial and specialised
expertise
• providing up to date information of changes to
funding and commissioning
• facilitating meaningful communication
between VSOs and government, particularly
in relation to the European Social Fund -
providing a platform for the network and
collaborating on events
Listen to this interview online
www.lvsc.org.uk/audio

2. LVSC
and Us
We wanted to draw our network closer, not just
via a funding oriented agenda but in a way that
addressed the wider context of sustainability
and support in the third sector. LVSC always
provided independent liaison across the sector,
but now helps us explore the potential for deeper
partnerships and strategies for tapping into
commissioning and wider ESF related funding -
ultimately considerable amounts.
LVSC are central in our response to what we call
‘mission drift’– the risks third sector organisations
are exposed to in some contracts, especially in
payment by results models. They mediate and
facilitate not just within the voluntary sector itself,
but also with key ESF players. More specifically
they have helped our members individually
through training, support and capacity building
both within the region and across Greater
London. In turn, we have added gravitas to our
network by pulling in the LVSC ‘brand’ and LVSC’s
acknowledgement of us as a key network - it’s a
mutual exchange.
Most recently we and LVSC ran an ESF roadshow
to support VSO organisations. The event’s impact
quickly rippled out to all our partners, boosting
confidence and minimising uncertainty over
funding competition.
One huge outcome was that we were able to audit
who is interested, who is able and who is willing to
take part in consortia. Without the LVSC platform
we would find that almost impossible, since I and
my co-chair Richard Eason both run the network
on a voluntary basis. The activity generated
before and after the event added up to a lot of
dialogue which we can present to commissioners/
funders and that is really key in what we do. The
generation, capture, mediation and understanding
of dialogue is what provides a light at the end of a
dark tunnel for the voluntary sector.
LVSC and You?
Clarissa told us that LVSC is now a standing item
on their agenda; “They are part of the thread in
our network and our consortium as we prepare
for ESF and other funding… and if we were to
advise another charity from our experience, we
would emphasise that funding is key - diverse
funding. LVSC really understand that, they know
that you’ve got to be ready and able not only to
do diverse activities in diverse locations, but also
secure diverse funding streams. And the range
and form of their training genuinely reflects that
diversity.”
To see how LVSC can help and support your work
in the voluntary community social enterprise
sector (VCSE), email us now on info@lvsc.org.uk
“LVSC is a standing item on our network
agenda, which is a reflection of the real
structural, added value that they offer
to that network. They’re independent,
they’re impartial, they are pan-London,
and actually they’re experts in what
they do which is voluntary sector
support”
London Voluntary Service Council (LVSC), 200a Pentonville Road, London N1 9JP
020 7832 5830 info@lvsc.org.uk www.lvsc.org.uk
LondonVoluntaryServiceCouncil Twitter: @lvscnews
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