Voluntary Sector Area Network - Bradford West

The VCSE landscape is ever-changing, now more rapidly than ever. Reduced funding and changing funder priorities, the need for increased collaboration and joint working, fighting to have your messaging cut through the noise, and the upcoming elections to add even more to the pot!

Our Area Networks are the perfect opportunity for you to come and address some of these challenges.

In the first half, Securing and sharing resources in challenging times, we will cover some of the challenges you face and explore how you can move through them to a more secure and sustainable position. Some of what we will discuss:

• Better bid writing
• Robust research
• Strategic planning
• The value of information as a resource
• Collaboration and strong partnerships
• Utilising contacts - and making new ones
• Sources of support

We will share details of some sources of support, including what we can help you with directly, and there will be time for a Q&A so we can answer your questions on the day.

You will leave with practical strategies, sources of support, new connections, and renewed confidence in navigating this sector.

In the second half of the event, Before the ballot, we will look at the upcoming local elections. May 2026 will see all councillor seats up for re-election. This could reshape our local authority in significant ways, and while the composition of the council we will be working with remains uncertain at this time, we feel it is important that the sector is in a position to respond to the challenges and opportunities this can bring.

We will be discussing the overarching VCSE strategy towards this election: how do we (you) want to influence and inform a newly formed council? Should we reach out to all candidates during the pre-election period, or wait until after they are elected?

Key questions we will explore:

• Newly elected, incoming councillors may have limited understanding of the VCSE sector's role and impact. Should we reach out to them? How should we do it? Data and facts, case studies showcasing impact, an offer of briefing sessions for new councillors, guided tours - these are all options to explore in this session.
• Public engagement during pre-election period? Without being party-political, can we use social media to promote key questions for residents to ask candidates on the doorstep? Could we arm the public with a set of questions that highlight VCSE priorities and encourage those conversations and community support and voluntary sector partnerships?
• Should we produce some kind of educational document and what should go in it? Who should it go to and when?

These decisions shouldn't be made in isolation, and it's not up to Community Action to decide. Attendees at Area Networks will shape what we do and how we engage as a sector with this democratic moment. Your input will determine our collective approach so we encourage you to have your say.

The two halves of the Area Network events may appeal to different voluntary sector organisations for different reasons, so we understand if you would like to come to one half, or the other, though we would love to see you for the whole morning! Please select the most appropriate ticket from the option below, you need only select one ticket(per attendee).

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