1. South West Forum Supporting.
Voluntary groups to be
effective, collaborative influential
and independent.
 Local authorities and public
agencies to have strong
partnerships with voluntary groups.
 Businesses to work with
voluntary groups to mutual advantage.
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2.  South West Forum has been
supporting the South West’s 70,000
social purpose organisations since 2000.
 The Forum has an excellent
reputation nationally and we work
closely with other similar networks in
England through Regional Voices
 We believe that the work of voluntary
groups is fundamental to an effective
and healthy democratic society
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3. Supporting and enabling groups to
be better at doing what they want
to do drives all our work.
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4. We provide support, advice and consultancy in many fields
but our key areas of expertise lie in:
Organising conferences, workshops and other events
Developing and managing networks
Independent facilitation and chairing
Brokering and supporting consortia and partnerships
Advice and workshops on demonstrating impact
Training and support on voice, influence & campaigning
Policy interpretation, analysis and advice
Advice and support on commissioning strategies
Support on contracting & sub-contracting relationships
Developing online resources and social networks
Voluntary sector involvement in new structures
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5. Key achievements and activities during 2010 and 2011
Big Society
9 local Big Society Roadshow events across the
region attracting over 500 people
House of Commons reception for South West MPs
Vital and Voluntary - An action agenda for strong
and dynamic South West voluntary and community
organisations sent to all SW parliamentary candidates
before the election and all MPs after.
Understanding Big Society and Localism Conference
for the public sector
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6. Key achievements and activities during 2010 and 2011
Impact
Proving Our Value research
projects commissioned from
local university/voluntary sector
partnerships.
Online links and ‘signposting’
to resources and tools for
measuring impact in place by
end 2011.
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7. Key achievements and activities during 2010 and 2011
Voice
Who’s Listening to the Big Society
report published
Successful programme of workshops
for workers supporting the voice of
voluntary organisations, including Equal
Voices, Equal Rights event and training in
the Axis of Influence frameworks.
Support, advice, workshops to 19 local
networks on voice and influence
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8. Key achievements and activities during 2010 and 2011
Influencing health reform
4 consultation events on health and social care reform
including 2 Future Forum listening and engagement
events. Input reflected in national Future Forum report
Constructive “roundtable” event on voluntary sector
involvement in Health and Wellbeing Boards. Will use
this model for other policy discussions.
Major South West conference, Healthy Communities,
in November 2010 with Richard Wilkinson, author of
The Spirit Level as a keynote speaker.
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9. Key achievements and activities during 2010 and 2011
Working with LEPs
The Vital Link, research report on
voluntary and social enterprise
involvement in LEPs, published and
widely circulated including to LEP Board
members.
Supported 5 local LEP roadshow
events across the South West. LEPs with
Social Purpose report from these events
published Autumn 2011.
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10. Key achievements and activities during 2010 and 2011
Collaboration and networking
Built the Community
Learning, Employment and Skills
Partnership (CLESP) to help voluntary
groups secure Skills Funding Agency and
other contracts. Now has over 120
members.
Supported the South West network for
local authority officers working with the
voluntary sector – valued by
participants.
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11. Key achievements and activities during 2010 and 2011
Information and communication
Regular specialist e-bulletins available
to all via our website
Monthly newsletters sent to all
members
Disseminating the latest news, stories
and policy updates via Twitter (800
followers and rising), Facebook and
LinkedIn
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12.  41 conferences, workshops and seminars since 2010 – attracting over 1800 people
 Regular communication with over 2000 individual and 1200 organisation contacts
“Inspiring, fun, very well
delivered, empowering”
“I don’t usually give 10/10 but I
couldn’t think of what could
have been better”
“Lots of new information and
positive suggestions”
“So relevant to where we are at
as an organisation”
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13. South West Forum
Unit A1, The Innovation Centre, University
of Exeter, Rennes Drive, Exeter EX4 4RN
01392 247901
admin@southwestforum.org.uk
www.southwestforum.org.uk
@southwestforum
South West Forum
South West Forum
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