Improving the Voluntary Sector Through Partnership Working

What is VSSAN?

VSSAN is Manchester's Voluntary Sector Support Agencies Network. It includes a dozen groups that offer support to the voluntary sector in Manchester. These organisations meet up each month to discuss operational and strategic issues, and to share information and experience.

Who are the members?

VSSAN currently consists of Community Accountancy Service, Community Technical Aid Centre, East Manchester Community Forum, Lesbian and Gay Foundation, Manchester Alliance for Community Care, Manchester Area Resource Centre, Manchester Community Information Network, Manchester Community Pride Initiative, Manchester Council for Community Relations, Manchester Refugee Support Network, Progress Trust and Voluntary Action Manchester.

Where does Green Fish fit in?

The three members of the Green Fish Partnership also belong to VSSAN. Through this network, awareness of wider issues concerning the voluntary sector in Manchester can be discussed. Also, it shows how partnership working is already taking place in the sector, and over a wide range of organisations.

A Voluntary Sector Compact for Manchester

VSSAN and its members have taken a lead in producing a Compact for Manchester, between the voluntary sector and the city council. This will lead to the formal adoption of a compact that will underpin these relationships in the future.

Local Strategic Partnerships

A local strategic partnership (LSP) is currently being established in Manchester, involving the public, private, voluntary and community sectors. The voluntary sector is becoming involved as participants in the LSP, and as recipients of the Community Empowerment Fund (CEF) which has been established by central government to allow voluntary agencies to play a full part in LSPs. A 'network of networks' is currently being put into place to involve the widest possible number of voluntary groups and individuals.

For further information on any of these initiatives please contact us.