Other topics discussed

Anchor-point– the new service being set up to provide support to community groups and voluntary organisations (now that Stockport CVS has ceased to exist)

Bev explained briefly the idea behind the new support service for voluntary organisations and community groups.  ‘Synergy’ which is made up of representatives from the larger voluntary sector organisations in Stockport, is going to set up a new project called ‘Anchorpoint’ which will provide support services for community groups and voluntary organisations.  The services should include those services which are currently being provided on a temporary basis by SAVY, ie: the funding forum, the volunteer centre and the CRB checking support service for voluntary and community organisations. 

In order to run these services, an Advisory Board will need to be set up to manage the Anchorpoint project.  Employment of the staff will be managed by Synergy, but the direction of the work will be managed by the Advisory Board.  Members of this board will need to be drawn from all networks within the voluntary sector, including the Inter-Faith Network.  There was an appeal for anyone interested in representing the Inter-Faith Network to put themselves forward.  There was also an appeal for anyone with recruitment experience to be a member of the selection committee for the Advisory Board – this will obviously be a short term commitment as it is hoped that the Board will be in place by the end of March. 

Information about the role of Advisory Board members and the commitment required is being prepared and as soon as it is available Bev and Liz will forward it to the network by email – expected within a week of the meeting on 2nd March.

Once the initial Advisory Board is established, the provisional plan is for them to set up the services and for members of the Advisory Board in future to be elected by the networks they represent.