CWC22067 - Provision of Community and Voluntary Service

The benefits system is complex and can be difficult to understand. People need different levels of support to understand what they are entitled to, or to complete forms with full and accurate information. The emphasis for this strategic lead is a proactive and immediate response where required to people in crisis, support to maximise income, prevention of adverse repercussions, stabilisation and management of life’s challenges, progression towards better life chances.

To ensure that the City’s skills system is well co-ordinated where those with low or no skills can access community learning through our local grant funded providers and progress onto accredited learning and ultimately into the labour market. The provision aims to improve the City’s response to supporting those who live in our local communities to engage and access skills provision in order to facilitate their integration, skills development and capacity to make a personal contribution to flourishing communities and economic growth in Wolverhampton.

To strategically lead on Representing the Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS) on Forums Locally, Regionally and Nationally working in partnership across the VCS, Public and Private Sectors. Be a voice for the VCS to raise issues; broker support to address those issues; raise the profile of the sector; and bring opportunities including funding to the City. Demonstrate partnership working primarily with the Strategic Leads for primarily Lot 4 and Lot 5 to provide a seamless provision of infrastructure support in the City.

To strategically lead on co-designing and co-producing initiatives that put local people at the heart of the provision, bringing stakeholders and the wider sector on board to respond to needs in our communities. Identify and implement solutions to local issues whilst building community pride through Love your Community Principles. Demonstrate partnership working primarily with the Strategic Leads for Lot 3 and Lot 5 to provide a seamless provision of infrastructure support in the City.

To strategically lead on supporting, sustaining and growing VCS organisations in the City. Be a resource of accessible and practical knowledge and information that supports the growth of a sustainable, thriving, and innovative VCS. Support VCS organisations to grow and upskill the workforce and volunteers. Demonstrate partnership working primarily with the Strategic Leads for Lot 3 and Lot 4 to provide a seamless provision of infrastructure support in the City.

To strategically lead on a Citywide Structured and Supported Volunteering Programme which raises the profile of volunteering in the City; embeds a City offer; enables access to face to face and digital support and resources; easy navigation to a suitable role. Support organisations to create, develop and grow their own volunteer programmes. Demonstrate partnership working primarily with the Strategic Lead for Lot 7 to provide a seamless provision of volunteer support in the City.

To strategically lead on a Volunteering Strategy and Digital Platform working jointly with the Council to bring people and organisations together to make all aspects of volunteering more accessible and easier to navigate, whilst also embedding the City offer and raising the profile of volunteering. Demonstrate partnership working primarily with the Strategic Lead for Lot 6 to provide a seamless provision of volunteer support in the City.

The provision aims to improve the City’s business survival rate for new businesses supporting those who live in our local communities to engage and access skills that will provide the foundation to prepare, start and ensure businesses survival in the City. To deliver a service that specifically meets the needs of people over the age of 30, (in particular people with disabilities and/or health related difficulties) as well as those who are looking to gain the practical support to move from employed to a self employed role.