What CVS Does
What CVS Does
Harrogate & Area Council for Voluntary Service is a Local Support and Development Organisation. We are set up to deliver key areas of service to support the local voluntary and community sector in order to help them work more effectively.
In addition to our core activities we incorporate a Volunteer Centre, and manage a number of practical, direct support services which operate mainly within the southern areas of the Harrogate District.
We are a registered charity and receive our main financial support from North Yorkshire County Council, NHS North Yorkshire and York (North Yorkshire and York Primary Care Trust) and Harrogate Borough Council.
Our Impact Report gives details of what we have been doing recently to 'make a difference' in our community. The Report is available to download here. If you would like a copy, please call the HACVS Office on 01423 504074.
The first Harrogate and Area CVS Strategic Plan covers the period 2009 -14 and sets out the strategic direction for the organisation over a five year period. The plan comprises of a vision, mission, aims, strategic objectives and key performance indicators. The plan will be delivered through an annual work plan and will be performance managed using the HACVS Performance Management Framework set out in Appendix One. A copy is available to download here
Our main services to the voluntary and community sector include:
Sources of Information:
Our Monthly Calendar which collates events and meetings of interest to the District's voluntary and community sector taking place that month.
Care in Action is our Newsletter that comes out every two months and includes articles and information on a range of topics such as special events, training events and local meetings. Click here to download the latest edition.
Our Monthly Funding Bulletin gives details of potential funding opportunities for local groups
Funder Finder searches for groups and individuals. Funder Finder is a computer application which helps to match voluntary organisations, or individuals, with Trusts most likely to provide funding for their particular activities.
In our monthly mail-out to local organisations we also circulate fliers on behalf of other organisations.
Where to Turn, our directory of local voluntary and community organisations.
Community House Information Centre which contains books, reports, videos and leaflets on a range of topics.
Support and Advice
These are available to all voluntary groups from large established charities to small self-help groups. We can provide advice on all kinds of topics such as setting up new groups, identifying potential funders and writing funding applications.
Representation and Liaison
We work to raise awareness in other sectors about the expertise, role and value that the voluntary and community sector can contribute to debate and decision-making on local and regional issues. We facilitate informal and formal networks of interest groups for better communication within the voluntary and community sector and between this sector and external bodies.
Learning and Training
We organise or facilitate affordable training for members of local voluntary organisations on topics relevant to paid staff, volunteers and management committee members. We also provide information about other sources of learning and training.
Office Services which we provide (at reasonable cost) include:
Photocopying
Desk Top Publishing
Laminating
Payroll Service
Membership
HACVS is a membership organisation. Join us today, become involved and strengthen the voice of the local voluntary and community sector. Membership is FREE and members receive benefits and can keep up to date with important developments.
New members are welcomed and if you are interested in joining us please visit our membership page or contact us for more information .
All members are expected to support the vision, mission and values of HACVS and the objectives of Harrogate & Area CVS Equality and Diversity Policy
Who's Who at the CVS
To view a full list of the CVS staff teams at both Harrogate & Area CVS and Ripon CVS click here
The two Councils for Voluntary Service work closely together - for example we work in partnership to issue a joint monthly mailing and have produced a District-wide Directory of voluntary and community organisations, Where To Turn
Employment Advice
North Yorkshire Forum for Voluntary Organisations (NYFVO) has a full-time Employment Advice team offering information, advice and support to the voluntary and community sector in York and North Yorkshire. The Employment Advice team have considerable knowledge and experience of employment law and practice and are there to help anyone involved in the running and management of voluntary or community organisations in North Yorkshire. You can contact the Forum’s Employment Advisers on 01347 825710 or email employment.advice@nyfvo.org.uk