The National Picture

In June 2004, the Government launched ChangeUp, a 'capacity building framework for the voluntary and community sector'. The aim of ChangeUp is:

'That by 2014 the needs of frontline voluntary and community organisations will be met by support which is available nationwide, structured for maximum efficiency, offering excellent provision which is accessible to all while reflecting and promoting diversity, and is sustainably funded.'

The ChangeUp programme is now managed on behalf of the Government, by an organisation called Capacitybuilders.

The Voluntaryworks Consortium

Since January 2004, a consortium of the voluntary and community sector infrastructure organisations in Bedfordshire and Luton has been working to ensure that both the ethos and the resources of the ChangeUp programme are used to maximum effect.

The Consortium was formally known as the Bedfordshire and Luton VCS infrastructure Consortium and adopted the name The Voluntaryworks Consortium in April 2008. It retains its former name for formal and legal purposes.

Consortium members are:

• Bedford Race Equality Council
• Bedfordshire Advice Forum
• Bedfordshire Rural Communities Charity
• Community and Voluntary Service Mid and North Bedfordshire
• Voluntary Action Luton
• Voluntary and Community Action South Bedfordshire
• Voluntary Organisation Consortium for Children, Young People and Families
• Volunteer Centre Bedford

The Accountable Body for the Consortium is Voluntary and Community Action South Bedfordshire. The current Chairperson of the Consortium is Jon Boswell from Bedfordshire Rural Communities Charity.

Contact details for members of the Consortium can be downloaded here.

The Consortium has recently received praise from Capacitybuilders for having one of the best sub-regional Consortium Strategic Plans and Business Plans in the country. As part of their Strategic Change in Local and Regional Support Programme the Consortium received the highest award for sub-regional consortia modernisation projects on local government reorganisation, procurement and volunteering and overall, the highest award in the East of England and the third highest award in the country for sub-regional consortia.