Ashford.gov.uk
 
  Home > Community and Living > Voluntary and Community Sector
Voluntary and Community Sector

In Ashford borough over 850 organisations deliver a broad range of local services to all kinds of people. Voluntary and community groups also provide many of our cultural, sport and leisure opportunities. Most organisations are charities, some employ specialists, but many are informal volunteer based groups. Ashford’s strong voluntary sector plays a crucial role in our quality of life and in strengthening the fabric of our local communities.

 

The Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS) provides a wide range of activities and services including:

 

The VCS can be split into 2 parts – front line organisations that provide services to the public like say Age Concern and the Citizens Advice Bureau. Supporting the front-line groups are umbrella or ‘infrastructure’ organisations. 

 

 In Ashford, there are three main infrastructure organisations who work closely together:

Why is the VCS important?

The VCS in Ashford borough provides over £150 million pounds worth of services each year and more than 12 000 people (1 in 8) volunteer at least once each month. The sector is a major employer with over 3000 full and part time workers. Read more in The Social & Economic Value of the VCS - a research study by Habitus Associates, March 2006.

 

The VCS or 'third sector' is regarded by central Government as a key partner in the delivery of better quality and more responsive public services. it has recently established the Office of the Third Sector in recognition of the increasingly important role the third sector plays in both society and the economy.

How Ashford Borough Council is working with the VCS

Departments across the Council work closely with voluntary and community organisations to deliver public services.

In 2006 Ashford Borough Council was awarded a national commendation in the Municipal Journal 2006 Achievement Awards for its best practice in working with the VCS and in particular, Ashford Community Network.

 

Kim Harlow is the council’s Voluntary Sector Manager based in Cultural & Project Services

01233 330413. Email Kim.

 

Simon Bannister is the VCS Development Officer based at Ashford's Future.  Simon is funded by the Department for Communities and Local Government to help local voluntary and community organisations build their capacity to meet the needs of Ashford's growing population. Simon ensures the critical role of the VCS is represented in the policy and planning of Ashford's Future development and also co-ordinates Ashford Community Network.

01233 330814. Email Simon.

| Help Using the Website |

This webpage was updated on 8/7/2008

A to Z of Services

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
Beacon Council
Directgov, public services all in one place
Advanced Search
Ashford Borough Council, Civic Centre
Tannery Lane, Ashford TN23 1PL
Telephone: 01233 331111
Email: customer.care@ashford.gov.uk or view our Compliments and Complaints webpage.
Ashford Borough Council Ashford, Best Placed in Britain