This page carries the latest Consultation Exercises being undertaken in Bedfordshire, with relevance to Voluntary & Community Groups based in Mid & North Bedfordshire:

Local Survey of Voluntary and Community Organisations

A Survey to help us to improve the environment for your organisation to thrive!

We wanted to know what your organisation thinks about the environment in which it is currently operating. In order to do this, we have conducted a short survey. We have asked every third sector organisation (which includes voluntary organisations, community groups, registered charities, clubs and societies, faith groups and social enterprises) across Bedfordshire to contribute to this survey.

Who has done this survey?

The survey has been carried out by the Voluntaryworks Consortium. Members of the consortium are all local voluntary and community sector infrastructure organisations who provide services and support to all kinds of third sector organisations. Members of the consortium include:

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

The survey was supported by Bedfordshire Countywide Partnership.

Thank you for completing the survey.

Make your voice heard in Bedfordshire! Become a member of the Beds Voice Panel

What is the Beds Voice Panel?

The Beds Voice Panel is made up of 5000 residents of Bedfordshire who have volunteered to be consulted with on a regular basis by the Bedfordshire Consultation Group.

What is the Bedfordshire Consultation Group?

The group is made up of Bedfordshire County Council, Mid Bedfordshire District Council, South Bedfordshire District Council, Bedfordshire Police and the Bedfordshire and Luton Fire and Rescue Service.

Why become a panel member?

By becoming a panel member, you are enabling the Councils, Police and Fire and Rescue Service to learn the views and opinions of local residents on a variety of local issues. The group value local people's views and look forward to hearing what residents think on important issues affecting life in their area and in the county of Bedfordshire.

All personal details will always be treated in the strictest confidence. What residents disclose in the consultations will appear in reports and presentations, but will never identify who said what. All personal information is held under the Code of Market Research and the Data Protection Act by an independent research company called SMSR. The Panel's idenity is kept secret.

Throughout your time as a panel member, we will try to keep you informed about things that are happening. You can expect to receive a newsletter that summarises the outcomes of consultations and how the authorities have used the information to further improve life in Bedfordshire.

You can access information about the panel, find out about past consultations and what's coming up in the future by visiting the Beds Voice website at www.bedsvoice.org.uk. You can also register your email address via the site. If you are interested in becoming a panel member, please contact Claire Jackson at SMSR on 0800 1380845.