Voluntary Sector Forum
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| Voluntary Sector Forum | |
|---|---|
| Name | Voluntary Sector Forum |
| Type | Non-profit umbrella organization |
| Founded | 1990s |
| Headquarters | London |
| Region served | United Kingdom |
| Leader title | Director |
Voluntary Sector Forum is an umbrella association that connects charitable organizations, voluntary groups, and social enterprises across the United Kingdom. It acts as a convening body and advocacy platform for third-sector actors, linking local charities, national trusts, professional networks, and philanthropic foundations. The Forum engages with public institutions, civil society leaders, heritage bodies, and regulatory agencies to shape policy and share best practices.
Overview
The Forum brings together representatives from charities such as Oxfam, British Red Cross, Shelter, and RSPCA alongside community trusts, faith-based groups, and think tanks like IPPR and Demos. It positions itself at the intersection of fundraising bodies including Charities Aid Foundation, legal regulators like the Charity Commission for England and Wales, and research institutions such as University College London and the London School of Economics. The Forum connects professional networks represented by National Council for Voluntary Organisations, corporate partners such as Barclays and Big Society Capital, and philanthropic donors including the Wellcome Trust.
History
The Forum emerged during the 1990s amid debates involving policy forums such as Cabinet Office reviews and commissions like the Boyd‑Ferris Inquiry (note: hypothetical example for context), responding to legislative changes exemplified by the Charities Act 1993 and later Charities Act 2011. Early meetings included stakeholders from groups such as Voluntary Service Overseas, Age UK, Save the Children, and local councils like City of London Corporation. Over time it forged links with international organizations including United Nations Volunteers and European Volunteer Centre while engaging with advisory bodies like NCVO and consultancy firms such as McKinsey & Company during governance reform initiatives.
Structure and Membership
The Forum's governance typically includes a board composed of leaders drawn from charities, trusts, and social enterprises such as Joseph Rowntree Foundation, The Prince's Trust, and Comic Relief. Secretariat functions are staffed by professionals with experience at institutions like Nesta, The Big Lottery Fund, and universities including University of Oxford and University of Cambridge. Membership categories reflect tiers similar to networks like Volunteer Centre Network and include corporate partners such as PwC, legal advisers like Bates Wells and international NGOs such as Amnesty International. Regional chapters mirror civic structures found in cities like Manchester, Birmingham, Glasgow, and Belfast.
Activities and Programs
The Forum runs conferences, training, and policy roundtables that attract speakers from bodies such as Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, Department for Work and Pensions, and the Institute for Government. Capacity‑building programs draw on curricula from Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development and partner with funders such as Lloyds Bank Foundation. Initiatives include volunteer mobilization campaigns in collaboration with Royal Voluntary Service and emergency response coordination inspired by partnerships with British Red Cross and local resilience forums like Civil Contingencies Secretariat. Research outputs have been co‑published with academic centres including King's College London and Goldsmiths, University of London.
Funding and Governance
Funding streams mirror patterns seen in entities like Shelter and Oxfam, combining grants from statutory bodies such as Arts Council England and contracts with public authorities including NHS England, alongside philanthropic support from trusts like Paul Hamlyn Foundation and corporate sponsorship from firms such as Aviva and Sainsbury's. Governance is influenced by compliance frameworks developed by the Charity Commission for England and Wales and auditing standards used by firms like Grant Thornton UK LLP. Ethical guidelines reference codes promulgated by organizations such as Association of Chief Executives of Voluntary Organisations and accreditation schemes akin to Investing in Volunteers.
Impact and Criticism
Supporters cite the Forum's role in amplifying voices of charities during inquiries such as those led by Public Accounts Committee and in shaping policy responses around welfare debates involving the Work and Pensions Select Committee. Case studies point to collaborative campaigns with groups like Mind and Trussell Trust that influenced public discourse and resource allocation. Critics argue the Forum can reflect the agendas of large members—examples raised in commentary alongside debates involving Big Society Capital and funding priorities of foundations like Wellcome Trust—and that smaller community organisations sometimes face barriers to participation similar to critiques levelled at networks including National Council for Voluntary Organisations. Questions over transparency echo wider scrutiny applied to bodies such as Red Cross during high‑profile relief operations and to consultancy relationships reminiscent of controversies involving McKinsey & Company in the public sector.