In Voluntary Action

Scottish Borders Compact

A Scottish Compact between the Scottish Executive and the Voluntary Sector was developed and as a result, it was recommended that a local version should be produced.

After a lot of consultation with voluntary groups and organisations as well as close working with Scottish Borders Council and other partners in New Ways (the Community Planning structure for the Scottish Borders) a Scottish Borders Compact was developed.

The Compact was launched in June 2006 at the Voluntary Sector Conference. where a scroll indicating support was signed by all the New Ways partners including the Voluntary Sector, Scottish Borders Council , Scottish Enterprise Borders, Borders college, NHS Borders and Lothian and Borders Police.

To make sure that the document is used effectively and well known, an action plan has been developed. This is not part of the main document but a separate working paper. The wide ranging actions are being taken forward by a Compact Officers Group which consists of members from the New Ways main partners and representatives from the Voluntary Sector.

Borders Forum of Councils for Voluntary Service has taken a leading role in the whole process and has now formed a Voluntary Sector Liaison Group to make sure that there is fair and extensive representation from the voluntary sector. The aim is to have representatives from all the different voluntary sector groupings. This group is therefore made up of people representing a range of voluntary forums such as the Voluntary Youth Work Forum, Elder Voice, Citizens Advice Network and Borders Community Care Forum. The representatives have agreed that they will act on behalf of their particular groups and make sure that there is good communication both to and from their members.

The members of the Voluntary Sector Liaison Group are keen to develop the profile of the group and are hopeful that it will become an initial point of contact for any body, agency or organisation wishing to consult with or report to the wider voluntary sector.

The Compact is intended to be instrumental in building on and improving the relationships between public and voluntary bodies in the Scottish Borders.

Download a copy of the Compact.

For more information about the Compact or the Voluntary Sector Liaison Group please contact:

Liz Walthew
Borders Forum of Councils for Voluntary Service
Platform One
Station Road
DUNS
Berwickshire
TD11 3HS

Telephone: 01890 970336
Email lizwalthew@bfcvs.org.uk

Volunteer Charter and Partnership Protocol

One of the first actions was the production of a Volunteer Charter which was launched and agreed by all New Ways partners on 12th June 2006.

The development of the Charter was led by Volunteer Centre Borders and it aims to ensure a minimum standard for volunteers and organisations across the Scottish Borders.

In September 2007 a further document was produced led by the Compact Officers Group. This is called the Partnership Protocol and its aim is to ensure that partnerships are fair and equitable.

Click on the bold title to download a copy of either document.