Southwark Voice

Southwark Voice (Voice) is a network of networks; a gathering of representatives/chairs of networks representing the voluntary and community sector in Southwark who are elected by their peers and have the mandate to speak on behalf of the sector.

The terms of reference for Southwark Voice are currently being reviewed; the most recent draft version is available here.

Membership

CS run VCS Networks:

Children, Families and Young People Network - chaired and represented by Rachel Zipfel from Cambridge House ([email protected])
Creative Network Southwark - chaired and represented by William Nicholson from Southwark Cultural Health and Wellbeing Partnership ([email protected])
Disabilities Providers Network - chaired and represented by David Stock from Southwark Disability Association ([email protected])
Latin American Network - presently no chair, leadership and representation on rotation
Mental Health Network
Older People's Network - chaired and represented by Cathy Deplessis from Southwark Pensioners Centre ([email protected])
Safeguarding Leaders Network - chaired and represented by Sarah Gibb from Time and Talents ([email protected])
Southwark R.E.A.C.H. Alliance - chaired and represented by Karima El Hajoui from STS Community Project ([email protected])
Small Groups Network
Sports and Physical Activity Network - chaired and represented by Andrew Payne from Southwark Gymnastics ([email protected])

CS facilitated Area Representatives:

Carers - represented by Verinder Mander from Southwark Carers ([email protected])
Community Anchors and Settlements - represented by Mike Wilson from Pembroke House ([email protected])
Women - represented by Ola Olive Oluturoti from Ladies of Virtue ([email protected])

Non-CS run VCS Networks:

Equalities and Human Rights Forum - represented by Tim Clark from Southwark Citizens Advice Bureau ([email protected])
Financial Inclusion Forum - represented by Tim Clark from Southwark Citizens Advice Bureau ([email protected])
Homelessness Forum - represented by Sally Causer from Southwark Law Centre ([email protected])
Southwark Funders Forum - represented by Sarah Thurman from United St. Saviour's Charity ([email protected])
Southwark Legal Advice Network - represented by Sally Causer from Southwark Law Centre ([email protected])
Southwark Planning Network - represented by Eileen Conn from Peckham Vision ([email protected])
Southwark Refugee Communities Forum - represented by Eltayeb Hassan ([email protected])

Please get in touch with [email protected] if you would like your VCS Network chair/representative to join Southwark Voice or if you would like Southwark Voice to consider particular issues affecting the sector.

Minutes of recent meetings:

Next meeting dates:

Thursday, 11th March 2021, 15:00 - 17:00
Thursday, 10th June 2021, 10:00 - 12:00
Thursday, 9th September 2021, 10:00 - 12:00
Thursday, 16th December 2021, 10:00 - 12:00
Thursday, 10th March 2022, 10:00 - 12:00
Thursday, 9th June 2022, 10:00 - 12:00
Thursday, 8th September 2022, 10:00 - 12:00

Our VCS Networks

To learn more about our networks, whose chairs sit on Southwark Voice, and to join them please visit our dedicated Networks area here or contact [email protected]

Other VCS Networks

To learn more about other local VCS networks please visit our dedicated subpage here. If you would like to list your network there please contact [email protected]

Latest

Benefits of volunteering
Southwark LGBT Network Meeting

Meeting for the Southwark LGBTQ+ community on Housing and the Census
School Food Matters are recruiting a Project Officer (Healthy Zones)

Deadline: midnight on Sunday 7 March 2021
Culturally Appropriate Food Survey

We need to hear from you to see what culturally appropriate food is being offered, where the gaps are and what the barriers are to offering these foods - (published 1 March 2021)

Integrating care consultation

NHS Improvements published plans on integrated care including legislative changes, replacement of CCGs and role of the VCS.
Beyond Southwark

Information on how we represent the local VCS outside of Southwark.
Partnership Southwark

Partners of Partnership Southwark work together to better join up services and support, tackle the causes of inequality, and improve the health and wellbeing of Southwark residents.
Local Access Partnership

The Southwark Local Access Partnership (LAP) is a newly formed partnership between local and national organisations based in the borough. It will support charities and social enterprises in Southwark to tackle local issues using a mix of support, grant funding and repayable investment from Access
Southwark Council

Local Authority is, without doubt, the biggest partner of the local voluntary sector in Southwark. Here we present the range of council forums and groups where the VCS in involved.

Community Researchers Wanted for Paid Local StreetSpace Project with Southwark Council

Southwark Council are working with Guy’s and St Thomas’ Charity to deliver trial street changes in three neighbourhoods in Southwark. They are offering community researchers £1,000 for a 10-12 hour commitment per week for roughly 3 months.
Volunteering During a Lockdown

Find out how you can volunteer in Southwark, and help your community get through this lockdown.
New London Community Response Fund: Launching 14 Jan

New funding from the London Community Response is launching on 14 January.
National Lockdown Response Survey

In wake of England's third national lockdown, we wanted to reach out to the VCS to hear what support you need at this time.
Thank you for coming to our Community Southwark AGM!

Yesterday we held our Community Southwark AGM, a big thank you to all of you who joined us.
New projects coming to Southwark

Find out where the funds raised by the Community Infrastructure Levy are going to be spent.
Are you in private rented housing? Find out the support available from Southwark Council's Private Rented Sector Team.

If you are a renting privately, or often supporting people who do, please see information below.
COVID-19 Vaccinations in Southwark

Find out how COVID-19 vaccinations are being rolled out in Southwark - (updated 24 Feb)
Covid-19 Response

We ran a monthly State of the Sector Survey for six months to gather the changing needs of the sector. Then, in response to this third lockdown, we sent out a National Lockdown Survey in Jan 2021. See the results here...
The Southwark Community Hub - Supporting vulnerable people during the second lockdown

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government and the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) have created a protocol on dealing with Clinically Extremely Vulnerable (CEV) people. Read the new updates and advice here.