The Vision

A tour of the architectural highlights of Manchester might include the University, the Town Hall, the Free Trade Hall and the Corn Exchange. Manchester has a proud history reflected in these impressive buildings. However, the Corn Exchange is now a shopping centre, and the Free Trade Hall will shortly become a hotel, highlighting how the city has changed over the years.

Those changes are reflected in the voluntary sector. Although it is seen by local and central government as increasingly important in delivering the policy agenda, and improving a wide range of services, the work of the voluntary sector often remains hidden from view.

The Green Fish Partnership was set up in 2001 by three of the established voluntary sector support agencies in Manchester, to improve partnership working by the voluntary sector in the city. We believe strongly that it is important that the voluntary sector is not seen as a poor relation, and that by increasing its profile, the quality and reach of its many services can be improved.

Just as in the 19th century higher education and local government expanded, in the 21st century, it is the voluntary sector that is expanding its role, and the need for a ‘focal point’ for the sector is becoming increasingly clear. It is our ‘vision’ to work towards establishing a ‘resource centre’ for the voluntary sector in the centre of Manchester.