Neath Port Talbot Council for Voluntary Service Supporting, promoting and developing the local voluntary sector

Cyngor Gwasanaeth Gwirfoddol Castell-nedd Port Talbot

Cefnogi, hyrwyddo a datblygu y sector wirfoddol leol

Core Values

Neath Port Talbot CVS is the umbrella body of the Voluntary Sector within Neath Port Talbot, with a membership in excess of 500, made up of organisations, groups and individuals. Neath Port Talbot CVS’ aim is to promote, support and develop the role of the Sector. Neath Port Talbot CVS strives to achieve its overall aim of making a difference to the lives of individuals and communities within the County Borough.

The Voluntary and Community Sector has experienced considerable changes in recent years. The U.K. and Welsh Government have recognised the huge contribution the Sector can and does make to local communities and communities of interest. In doing so, the government has acknowledged the particular strengths the Sector has, which sets it apart from its Statutory and Private Sector partners. Our ability to be:

  • innovative
  • flexible
  • responsive to local needs
  • campaigning/lobbying
  • independent
  • empowering people

has ensured that the Voluntary and Community Sector has become a key shaper and provider of services in our local communities. Many of these services are delivered on behalf of our statutory partners.

Although an enormously diverse sector, ranging from local self-help or issue based groups to branches of national charities, what melds it together are common values, based on ‘not-for-profit’ and charitable principles. The Sector strives to empower, include and promote equal opportunities.

Much of the current activity undertaken is in response to the vast social inclusion and community regeneration agenda facing Neath Port Talbot, not least the Welsh Government’s Communities First programme, the Health, Social Care and Well-Being agenda, the Children and Young People’s Framework and the Older Person’s Strategy.

Despite a growing paid work force voluntary activity remains a fundamental cornerstone of the Sector – all groups and organisations are governed by management committees made up of volunteers – people who give their time freely to achieve the mission statement of their particular organisation.

‘Voluntary’ is not as the book says to be confused with ‘amateur’. The Voluntary and Community Sector is a ‘professional’ sector in the sense that it strives to promote models of good practice, whether delivered by ‘paid’ staff or volunteers.

Neath Port Talbot CVS is an organisation itself embedded in these core values. It is essential that its staff are able to demonstrate a commitment to what is essentially the heart of the organisation. We need flexible, committed staff who are able to support our strategic vision and our value base by working together both internally and externally to achieve our organisational aims. Without such staff, the organisation will not achieve its purpose – to work together with the people of Neath Port Talbot to make a real difference within our communities.

nn/w/cvsorganisationhandbook/section2/corevalues

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