Formerly known as the Voluntary Organisations Consortium, the network has been in existence for over 20 years.

Renamed in 2009 to ‘Voluntary Organisations for Children, young people and families’ it:

• came together from two existing networks: Family Network and Voluntary Organisations Consultative Group
• is a sub group of the Children’s Trust’s in Bedford Borough and Central Bedfordshire
• brings together groups to promote a greater involvement in, and understanding of, local and national strategies
• It is a sub group of the Bedfordshire Children & Young Peoples Strategic Partnership – (C&YPSP)

VOCypf - A brief History ...

VOCypf has been in existence for over 25 years evolving from the Family Network and Voluntary Organisations Consultation (VOC) Group. These two networks developed into the Voluntary Organisations Consortium, now going by the name of VOCypf.

Family Network was instigated by VCS organisations and Social Services in the 1980s as a response to ongoing local funding challenges felt by VCS organisations in Bedford that supported families.  The aim was to ensure good practice, prevent duplication of services and provide a good support network for those engaged in the delivery of services - both statutory and voluntary. It became more voluntary sector focused as time went on and as issues around funding and the lack of genuine consultationwith the local authority surfaced. The County Council set up a countywide Consultation Group to engage with the Voluntary Sector but as time went on it was felt there was too much duplication and there was a need to consolidate the two groups and to link directly into the Childrens and Young Peoples Strategic Partnership structure.  VOC extended its geographic reach to support organisations across Bedfordshire and now supports 140+ VCS organisations across the county.

Up until 2006 there was an organisation (not funded by the local authority) called Bedfordshire and Luton Youth CVS (BLYCVS) which was tasked to support the voluntary and community youth sector. There were, however, concerns about BLYCVS and its operation resulting in representatives of voluntary organisations and the local authority agreeing to disband it. The sector had become disparate and many conflicts arose due to lack of a co-ordinated voice.  Recognising the need for continued support of the Youth Voluntary and Community sector in Bedfordshire, the local authority agreed to fund an additional post to support the development of the Youth sector.  This occurred at the time Connexions was being brought “in house” to the Local Authority.  In 2007, the Connexions VCS Development Worker was identified as an appropriate role to be put on “placement” with VOCypf.

VOCypf now supports the 0-19+ agenda and is integrated into the two Childrens Trusts in Bedford Borough and Central Bedfordshire

Click here for links to members and partners websites.