Introduction: Southwark’s Voluntary and Community Sector Strategy (2017-2022)

The council worked together with the VCS to create the Southwark’s Voluntary and Community Sector Strategy (2017-2022) 

In October 2020 the council indicated the need to review the strategy as a result of the impact of covid-19 and the global protests demanding equality and inclusion. Community Southwark will be working with our members on making sure that the new strategy is co-designed with the sector.

If you would like to share any feedback about the current strategy or thoughts about the review please contact [email protected]

Community Engagement Strategy

The Council's Approach to Community Engagement document is here. The Council and the South East London CCG host the Engagement Advisory Group to talk about upcoming public engagement work in both organisations. If you would like to raise any issues about the council's or CCG engagement or consultations please contact [email protected] 

Support for VCS

Information about the support from the council for local non-for-profit organisations is available here.

Commissioning Officers Group

More information coming soon. 

Covid-19 Outbreak Prevention and Control Plan Board

Information about the plan is available here. We are working together with the Public Health Team on distributing messages around covid-19 outbreak prevention via our networks and via a dedicated Health Ambassadors and Grants Scheme. To find out more please contact [email protected] 

Health and Wellbeing Board

The Health and Wellbeing Board prepares and publishes a Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA) and a Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy (JHWS) to meet the needs identified in the JSNA in relation to the local authority’s area i.e. Southwark. It meets on a quarterly basis and the local VCS is represented by Community Southwark.

We consult the sector on any issues relating to the work of the Health and Wellbeing Board via Southwark Voice (further info below). If you would like us to raise any points at the Board's meetings or discuss the role of the VCS in them please contact [email protected] Each meeting has also dedicated time for members of the public to raise any issues or concerns they have. All documents relating to the board are under http://moderngov.southwark.gov.uk/mgCommitteeDetails.aspx?ID=365.

Future meeting dates:

  • 21/12/2020 5PM-7PM
  • 04/02/2021 3PM-5PM
  • 18/03/2021 3PM-5PM
  • 28/04/2021 3PM-5PM
  • 21/07/2021 3PM-5PM
  • 15/09/2021 3PM-5PM

Safeguarding Boards

The council operates the Southwark Safeguarding Joint Board (SSJB) which Sarah Gibb ([email protected]) from Time & Talents as Chair of the Safeguarding Leaders Network (https://www.communitysouthwark.org/safeguarding-leaders-network) attends on behalf of the sector.

Below this is Southwark Safeguarding Adults Board (SSAB) and the Southwark Safeguarding Children's Partnership (SSCP).

Below them is a number of sub-boards:

  • SSAB Community Harm and Exploitation Board which Community Southwark attends on behalf of the sector
  • SSAB Safer Communities Subgroup which Chris Mikata ([email protected]) from Community Southwark attends on behalf of the sector
  • SSAB Quality and Performance Subgroup 
  • SSAB/SSCP Professional Development and Learning (PDL) Subgroup which Stevie Back ([email protected]) from Community Southwark attends on behalf of the sector
  • SSCP Quality and Effectiveness Subgroup 

We are actively seeking members who would be willing to represent the sector at those. If you are interested please contact [email protected] To learn more about current issues and/or join the VCS Safeguarding Leaders Network please visit our dedicated subpage under https://www.communitysouthwark.org/safeguarding-leaders-network 

Southwark Community Support Alliance

The Support Alliance was established as a legacy to the Southwark Responds Community Hub created at the outbreak of covid-19 as a cross-sector (local authority, health services, VCS) response to support the local residents. The Support Alliance is working on implementing 16 recommendations via an Implementation Group which is attended by Community Southwark on behalf of the sector. Background information including the recommendations can be found here. For further information please contact [email protected] 

During the inaugural meeting on 25th November 2020, a number of working groups have been proposed. We will share further information as and when they become available. 

Southwark Stands Together

This is a council borough-wide initiative in response to the systemic racism and injustices experienced by Black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) communities, and to the inequalities exposed by COVID-19. Further information can be found here. To learn more about the Southwark R.E.A.C.H. (Race, Equality and Cultural Heritage) Alliance and Latin American American Network which we administer please contact [email protected] 

VCS Liaison 

The council organises quarterly VCS Liaison meetings with the sector. 

Minutes of recent meetings:

Next meeting dates:

  • Thursday, 17th December 2020 2:30AM-4PM 
  • Thursday, 18th March 2021 2:30PM-4PM
  • Thursday, 17th June 2021 2:30PM-4PM
  • Thursday, 16th September 2021 2:30PM-4PM
  • Thursday, 23rd December 2021 2:30PM-4PM
  • Thursday, 17th March 2022 2:30PM-4PM
  • Thursday, 16th June 2022 2:30PM-4PM
  • Thursday, 15th September 2022 2:30PM-4PM

Please get in touch with [email protected] if you would like Community Southwark to raise any issues at the VCS Liaison meetings.