The Devon VCSE (Voluntary, Community, Social Enterprise), Assembly is a collaborative community of charities and community-led organisations across Devon, Plymouth, and Torbay. It serves as a “Community Anchor,” working together to provide holistic solutions to local problems and challenges in various areas, such as nature and environment, transport, housing, health, and enterprise. The Assembly aims to support and add value to local VCSE networks and partnerships, including Local Care Partnerships, and enable and support third sector organisations, community service specialists, and people with lived experience to engage at a strategic level in service design and co-production.
The Assembly has made significant progress since its establishment, with the VCSE Assembly Design Group working for over a year to collaborate on the Assembly’s development and refine its processes. The Assembly contributors are actively engaged in cross-sectoral strategic engagement activities with Devon County Council, One NHS Devon, and other public sector partners.
A VCSE Assembly Design Group has been working for over a year to collaborate on the development and way forward for the Assembly, and continues to meet fortnightly to refine our processes. There is not a formalised structure, rather a fluid alliance with specialists that can come together to address specific areas.
VCSE Assembly contributors are already actively engaged in cross-sectoral strategic engagement activities with Devon County Council, One NHS Devon and other public sector partners.
It has also recently secured funding for the post of Assembly Development Co-ordinator. In addition, marketing and communications resources have been secured to support the Design Group and keep people informed about the Assembly’s progress.
The Assembly is not a membership organisation therefore welcomes anyone who wants to get involved in improving how important services are designed and delivered in Devon.
