One of the strategic aims of CVS - Mid & North Beds is represent the views of the voluntary and community sector in Mid & North Bedfordshire.

Therefore CVS - Mid & North Beds strives to work in partnership with other voluntary groups, statutory authorities and local businesses, with the ultimate aim of improving the quality of life for everyone.

Below are some of the fora in which CVS - Mid & North Beds are involved:

The Chief Officers Network - This is an informal meeting for the senior officers of locally based voluntary organsiations in North Bedfordshire.

Bedford Workers Forum - brings together organisations, workers (both paid and voluntary), and partners that work to develop the Borough of Bedford & provides a networking opportunity for organisations and workers, so that projects projects can be developed together.

Bedford Advice Forum - promotes the provision and quality of advice services in Mid and North Bedfordshire. Membership of the forum is open to organisations that provide advice is those areas. CVS - Mid & North Beds provides advice throughout the area and so is a member of this forum. 

Mid Beds Local Strategic Partnership - is a single body which brings together the key organisations from the Voluntary, Statutory and Business Sectors that can improve the social, environmental and economic well-being of its community. By working together, resources can be better used, duplication minimised and the aspirations, needs and priorities of the community better met. You can have your input into this partnership via CVS - Mid & North Beds, so let us know your views.

Mid Beds Healthy Living Initiative (HLI) - is a New Opportunities Fund (NOF) and Children's Fund project, which aims to promote good health in its broadest sense and to help people of all ages improve their well being and get the most out of life. In undertaking this, the Mid Beds HLI will be working in partnership with seven organisations from the voluntary and statutory sector (namely Alcohol Services for the Community, Arlesey Toy Library, Christian Family Care, Bedfordshire Heartlands Primary Care Trust, Mid Beds Citizens Advice Bureau, Mid Beds District Council and Spurgeons Child Care.

A Credit Union for Mid Beds - A group of organisations in Mid Bedfordshire is currently looking into the possibility of setting up a local credit union which will provide which would provide better access to affordable financial services in the district. 

The Countywide Partnership - this partnership brings together key agencies in Bedfordshire together to oversee and guide all countywide strategies, including the Local Area Agreement and the Community Strategy.

Bedfordshire Local Area Agreement - Bedfordshire was amongst 66 areas to commence a three year (LAA) from April 2006. This has represented a tremendous opportunity for organisations (such as the voluntary sector) to work together more effectively to deliver better services to people in Bedfordshire. The Voluntary and Community Sector (including CVS - Mid & North Beds) has been working closely with the County Council, the Borough / Districts Councils, local Health Service, the Police and others to agree how we can jointly deliver improved services that matter most to citizens and communities of the County.

Tackling Poverty Together in Bedfordshire Group - is an informal multi-agency group focused on tackling poverty together through information exchange, group support, advice and joint action (e.g. conference & research) on poverty. CVS - Mid & North Beds is a member of the steering group of this forum.

Bedfordshire Hate Crime Partnership – Bedford Race Equaility Council coordinates the Bedfordshire Hate Crime Partnership which is a local campaign aimed at encouraging people to report incidents of all kinds of harassment. Incidents can be reported to the local authorities, the police and community groups. CVS - Mid & North Beds is a member of the Bedfordshire Hate Crime Partnership.

The Bedfordshire and Luton Compact - is a working document aimed at developing a close, efficient and more effective equal working partnership between local voluntary and community organisations and statutory agencies? CVS - Mid & North Beds is a member of the steering group and should be your first port of call for more information or details of how you can become a signatory or if your group is in conflict with a local authority.