Voluntary Sector

Supporting our voluntary sector
We support the voluntary and community sector to make a significant contribution to Wandsworth's diverse and vibrant community. We fund the Wandsworth Voluntary Sector Development Agency (WVSDA) to run the volunteering service and provide information on local voluntary groups.

We also have contracts with the Wandsworth Citizens Advice Bureaux to provide advice to local people on a wide range of issues including money, debt and benefits. The EDO contributes to the London Boroughs Grants Scheme to support the voluntary sector in London.

Your chance to comment on the annual report on the voluntary sector.

You can download a copy of the annual report.
 Annual Report on the Voluntary Sector (213kb)

There is also an online questionnaire for you to give us your views and opinions.

Volunteering
The Wandsworth Voluntary Sector Development Agency is a service open to people who may wish to work as a volunteer.  It provides help and guidance to choose a placement best suited to your needs.  They are based at 170 Garratt Lane, London SW18 4DA.
Tel: 020 8870 4319 or visit www.wvsda.org.uk

We are carrying out a survey to find out the extent of volunteering in the borough. If you are a volunteer, please complete our online form to let us know about it.

Volunteer Fair Success
Wandsworth's first-ever volunteer conference and fair was a huge success, with more than 400 potential volunteers and over 50 volunteer organisations attending.

The event was organised by the council's economic development office and the Volunteer Centre, Wandsworth.

It was held at the Civic Suite on Wednesday, February 27 and included a morning conference followed by workshops.
 
Members of the public interested in volunteering were invited to the fair in the afternoon, where they could visit stalls set up by the organisations taking part.

The aim was to give volunteer organisations space, information and support to help them recruit and retain volunteers.

The event also hosted the launch of the new Guide to Volunteering handbook and the new Volunteer Awards Programme, which seeks to recognise and highlight the important work that volunteers carry out.

Deputy council leader Cllr Maurice Heaster, who delivered the conference's welcoming speech, said the event had exceeded expectations.

"We were delighted to see so many organisations, and potential volunteers. The voluntary sector plays a vital role in our community, and events like this help it to flourish."

Find out more about volunteering from the Wandsworth Voluntary Sector Development Agency. Call 020 8870 4319 or visit www.wvsda.org.uk

Cllr Heaster is pictured here (right) with Chris Blyth from the economic development office and Nick Godden from the Volunteer Centre, Wandsworth.

The following publications are available to download:
 Guide to Volunteering Handbook (1.2Gb)
 Volunteer Awards Programme (89Kb) 

If you would like further information on volunteering contact Nicola Grant on 020 8871 6449 or at ngrant@wandsworth.gov.uk

You can also contact The Volunteer Centre Wandsworth on 020 8870 4319 or email enquiry@wvsda.org.uk  

Voluntary organisations and community groups
We support a Voluntary Information Service which provides guidance on funding and many other areas relevant to the voluntary sector and community groups in Wandsworth. This service is run by part of the Wandsworth Voluntary Sector Development Agency who are based at 170 Garratt Lane, London SW18 4DA.  Please call 020 8875 2846 or visit their website:  www.wvsda.org.uk.  

Wandsworth Citizens Advice Bureaux Ltd
Wandsworth Citizens Advice Bureaux Service (WCABx) provides an independent, impartial and confidential generalist advice service for Wandsworth residents at one of 3 advice centres in the Borough (Battersea, Roehampton and Tooting). Tel: 020 8788 6960

The main office is based at
4th Floor, Bedford House, 215 Balham High Road, London SW17 7BQ.  Tel: 020 8333 6960 or visit www.wandsworthcabx.org.uk

Publications
The following publications can be downloaded from the 'Publications' page

- Advice Service Directory
- Funding Updates
- Voluntary Sector Charter
- Voluntary Sector Compact
- Voluntary Sector Fact File

Useful links
London Voluntary Services : Strengthening voluntary organisations by providing services and a strong voice on policy issues that affect Londoners.

Actionlink - Information for London's Voluntary Sector.

The Centre for Public Innovation - is an independent community interest company providing consultancy and training services for public sector organisations and individuals. They also have space for voluntary organisations to hold meetings and training sessions.

Chris Blyth
Service Development Officer
Tel: 020 8871 7810
Email: cblyth@wandsworth.gov.uk