Voice for Glasgow Third Sector

Voluntary organisations, social enterprises and volunteering organisations which provide essential services to many of Glasgow’s most vulnerable citizens now have the opportunity to actively shape planning and decision-making in Scotland’s largest city. That was the message delivered last week (Friday 9 December 2011) at the launch of Glasgow’s new Third Sector Forum at the Renfield Centre, Glasgow.

Speaking at the launch were representatives from a wide range of third sector organisations who took the opportunity to highlight to public sector partners in attendance – which included Councillor Gordon Matheson, Leader of Glasgow City Council and Councillor Sadie Docherty, Chair of Glasgow Community Planning Partnership – the vital contribution made to the city by the sector.

Setting out the aspirations for the initiative, Liz McEntee, Head of External Relations with Glasgow Council for the Voluntary Sector said “The Forum will create something unique in harnessing the collective contribution of the Third Sector in Glasgow. It will ensure that the value of the sector’s work – in addressing many of the challenges facing the city and in supporting its people and communities – is more visible, understood and influential in planning and decision-making in Glasgow from this point on.”

Laurie Russell, Chief Executive of the Wise Group added “Third Sector organisations help to transform lives and regenerate communities. We work in partnership with the public and private sectors to ensure that all Glasgow’s citizens have an active part in the economic, social and cultural life of the city’.

The Forum – which is open to all third sector organisations across Glasgow – will create a central connecting point for dialogue, discussion and influence. Representation on both the Board and Executive Committee of Glasgow Community Planning Partnership will ensure that the sector is involved in strategic discussions with public sector partners from the outset.

In a keynote speech, Councillor Matheson said ”It is clear that Glasgow benefits most when the public and third sectors work closely together. We have a very diverse third sector in Glasgow and so the value of the Third Sector Forum will be in providing a voice for the wide range of views that exist. I wish the Forum well and be assured that my administration will be listening to what it has to say”.

During his speech, Councillor Matheson took the opportunity to unveil plans to extend funding awards from the usual one year to two or three years wherever possible. He said “I know how important council grant funding is to many smaller community groups with the city and others across the third sector. Providing grant funding over a longer period makes a real difference and I’m committed to this change”. He also encouraged the third sector to take advantage of a new scheme which sees the council provide a 50% subsidy for newly created jobs.

Future activity includes the launch of the Third Sector Forum website in mid-January 2012 in advance of a series of Forum meetings which will take place across the city in January / February 2012. These meetings will inform the production of a Third Sector Manifesto for Glasgow which will be launched on 1 March 2012 at The Gathering conference at the SECC in the run up to the local authority elections in May.

Martin Johnstone, Chair of the Forum’s Executive Committee, said “Now more than ever, Glasgow needs effective voluntary groups and social enterprises with all the vitality, determination and creativity that they bring. Over the coming years, the Third Sector Forum wants to ensure that these organisations are making the biggest possible difference in the life of the city, for the sake of the city”.

For further information:

Liz McEntee, Head of External Relations, Glasgow Council for the Voluntary Sector (GCVS) on 0141 332 2444 or email: liz.mcentee@gcvs.org.uk

OR

Martin Johnstone, Faith in Community Scotland on 0141 248 2905 or email: martin@faithincommunityscotland.org