All businesses need to be flexible and adapt to changes to their markets. So too does the voluntary sector. Worthing’s Council for Voluntary Service – Voluntary Action Worthing (VAW) have adapted their services and delivery model after they lost their contract to deliver support and services for the local not-for-profit organisations in our town. They have created new and exciting projects and partnerships, including a networking club for local Trustees called the VAW Trustee Club which launched recently.

Jaqui Ball, Chair of VAW said: “There can be a productive life for a CVS without local authority funding, providing we stay true to our values and seek to deliver what our local voluntary sector needs and deserves”.

Their new model of delivery means they don’t have an office and only have one member of staff a Partnerships Manager. She works from a home office and out in the community, hot-desking and providing a drop-in service on a Wednesday at St Paul’s. They are lean and very keen to link and develop partnerships for mutual benefit. One of those partners is MHA Carpenter Box. Chris Coopey, our President and Partner at MHA Carpenter Box was a keynote speaker at the launch and explains why they decided to support the VAW Trustee Club.

“As a business, MHA Carpenter Box is often approached to support the not-for-profit sector either by way of charitable donations or sponsorship. In the case of sponsorships and as a commercial organisation we’re looking for a win/win so that both sides see some benefit. To a large degree our decision to support the VAW Trustee Club was made because the Trustee Club proposition fitted well with our sector approach. It was well thought through, professionally pitched and thus ticked the right boxes.

We are looking forward to delivering Masterclasses and to a long and collaborative relationship with VAW to the mutual benefit of all involved.”

Julie Hunt, Partnerships Manager said, “We had some really positive PR with a BBC Radio Sussex interview at drive time, and regional and national press coverage. The launch went well, with nearly 100 people hearing great sector speakers and signing-up on the night to join this membership ‘Club’. We are now looking forward to delivering this project which should really benefit local Trustees struggling with governance issues, and are planning to develop more cost effective, high impact projects in the future.

For more information contact:
partnerships@vaworthing.org.uk or call 07787 056208
www.vaworthing.org.uk