The Best Guide for the EN8 Area

CVSBEH - what is it?

CVSBEH stands for "Council for Voluntary Service for Broxbourne and East Herts".

Although based in Ware (East Herts), it is an umberella non-profit organisation covering about three-hundred community groups including many in the borough of Broxbourne. It is a full member of the National Association for Voluntary and Community Action (NAVCA) and is a member of the Herts CVS (Council for Voluntary Service) Group.

A-Y-W-M-S-F (Are You With Me So Far)?!!

The "Celebrating Our Community Day" back in July 2009 was a bit of a rarity inasmuch as it was organised by CVSBEH, whereas it is more common that they provide a diverse range of support services, enabling other groups or organisations to maintain, develop, and enhance their own ability to effectively serve the community.

CVS is grant funded itself. It gives appropriate GUIDANCE to other organisations. Most voluntary groups need ADVICE concerning money and management committees to survive, but very few like having to ask for it! CVS can also help DEVELOP new and existing groups to meet local changing needs through planning and other organisational matters. They also have contacts with others who may be able to help.

The full scope of the services provided can be found on their own website (click on here), but some of which include regular free editions of their E-bulletins; maintaining information on local intitiatives and forthcoming events; face-to-face Funding support for for grant applications, and promotion of the latest funding sources and events; and signposting to local resources such as meeting-room hire, copying services, and equipment loan.

They also facilitate networking opportunities, bringing together voluntary groups through regular local forums and helping to build partnerships across the community. Training courses are also supplied (often free of charge) aimed at volunteers and paid staff in topics such as Fundraising, Marketing, Policy Development, and Communication Skills. Although these could be anywhere within the whole of East Herts (may be places such as Hertford or Bishop's Stortford as well as more local), the point is there is nothing so distant as to make it impossible. For a current list of training sessions, see their relevant website page here.

CVS is a first point of contact and can offer SUPPORT for those who are new to the "voluntary sector" or simply want to find out more about groups working locally, so make them your first stop.

You can reach them via their own website here, or ring on 01920 487888, or visit them by appointment at their main office based in Ware. The office is open Monday - Friday, 10am until 4pm. Alternatively, CVSBEH staff can arrange to visit you at a more convenient location and time.

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