Third Sector Forum

The Bridge facilitates the Third Sector Forum (previously known as the Voluntary Sector Liaison Group) which is a forum of local voluntary forums and networks. The group meets quarterly and communicates by email between meetings to share information, skills and experience.This is an invaluable aid to the representation role of The Bridge.

The group also encourages joint working and planning and is responsible for taking forward the Compact Action Plan, Third Sector Framework and the sector's contribution to the Single Outcome agreement. a leaflet about the group can be downloaded at the foot of this page.

The Bridge also has a role to support organisations and networks to represent themselves to appropriate agencies and the Third Sector Forum members assist with this.

Members are:

Volunteer Centre Borders
Voluntary Sport
Borders Community Transport Network
Youth Borders
Berwickshire Association for Voluntary Service
Scottish Borders Elder Voice
Scottish Borders Community Council Network
Borders Childcare Partnership
Borders Social Enterprise Chamber
Borders Citizens Advice Network
Borders Voluntary Community Care Forum
Scottish Borders Environment Partnership
Borders Disability Forum
Borders Housing Network
Specialist Voluntary Youth Network

The representatives have agreed that they will act on behalf of their particular network/forum and make sure that there is good communication both to and from their members.

The members of the Thhird Sector Forum (TSF) are keen to develop the profile of the group and it has become an initial point of contact for any agency or organisation wishing to consult with or report to the wider voluntary sector.

Scottish Borders Council and NHS Borders both send a member of their staff to the TSF in an advisory capacity and the group is attended by the elected Scottish Borders Council Voluntary Sector Champion – Councillor Len Wise.

Area Networks

The Area Managers of The Bridge organise various networking with and between voluntary and community groups and statutory partners within thier area of responsibility. Contact your area office to find out about meetings in your area.

Voluntary Sector Conference

The Bridge, in partnership with Berwickshire Association for Voluntary Service, organises an annual Voluntary Sector Conference on issues of importance to the local voluntary sector. This is used as one of the mechanisms to report on the representation work of The Bridge.

The next Conference will be publicised on this site.

File Attachments:

Third Sector Forum leaflet 2011.pdf