Mission Statement: To provide co-ordinated support to the Voluntary and Community sector of Teesdale, Wear Valley & the surrounding area.
Our mission will be achieved by
Providing a quality service for Individuals, Voluntary and Community Organisations, managed and owned by local people, reflecting local needs and interests, by developing a voluntary sector alliance.
2D is a membership organisation, the members being voluntary and community groups operating in the locality, and membership is free. A core staff team exists to ensure the delivery of the key aims and objectives based on the following functions:
Council for Voluntary Service (CVS)
Which means a voluntary organisation which is set up, owned and run by local groups to support, promote and develop local voluntary and community action. 2D support their members by providing them with a range of services and by acting as a voice for the local voluntary and community sector.
2D acts as a key resource and information point for local community and voluntary organisations by providing:
Services and support
These include access to facilities, such as meeting rooms, photocopiers, ICT and display equipment and more involved services such as advice and guidance. We also support local groups through regular newsletters, training, funding advice and specialist services.
Liaison
We recognise the importance of working collectively with other like-minded organisations at County and Regional levels, such as individuals and groups within the sector, and between local groups and the statutory and private sectors, in order to ensure good practice and avoid duplication of services.
Representation
We enable the views of local groups to be represented to local authorities, other public agencies and voluntary and community sector forums. This provides an opportunity for the groups to put forward their views on national and local policies. We are open in the way we seek, collate, and enable representation of the views of the sector.
Development work - We take the lead in identifying gaps in service provision and work with groups to develop new and innovative services to meet these needs. We do this by enlarging the representation of voluntary and community groups currently held on our database, contacting local member organisations via mailings, one to one visits/sessions, and establish focus groups at local level as the needs arise, e.g. Community Development Workers forum, and Community Networks.
Strategic Partnerships
We enable the voluntary and community sector to play an effective role in local government and other statutory agencies e.g. Local Strategic Partnerships, to shape the delivery of services. We work to ensure that the local voluntary and community sector have their voice heard in the decision making process. E.g. SAZ, LSP, LAA Compact working group, One Voice Network.
Volunteer Centre
2D provides support at a local level for individual volunteers and volunteer involving organisations.
We have six core functions:
Brokerage
The Volunteer Centre holds information on a range of opportunities with the aim of matching volunteers with appropriate volunteering opportunities. We also offer potential volunteers support and advice.
Marketing
We stimulate and encourage local interest in volunteering and community activity. This may include promoting and marketing volunteering through local, regional and national events and campaigns.
Good practice development
Promoting good practice in working with volunteers to all volunteer involving organisations. We deliver training and accreditation for potential volunteers, volunteers, volunteer managers and the volunteering infrastructure.
Develop opportunities
working in close partnership with statutory, voluntary and private sector agencies as well as community groups and faith groups to develop local volunteering opportunities.
Policy response and campaigning
Identifying proposals or legislation that may impact on volunteering. It will lead and/or participate in campaigns on issues that affect volunteers or volunteering.
Strategic development
As the local experts on volunteering Volunteer Centres inform strategic thinking and planning at a regional and national level.
Children, Young People and Family Participation
This service is now two-fold; creating opportunities and empowering children, young people and families to participate in the decision processes that affect their lives here in the Durham Dales, whilst also providing much needed support to Voluntary and Community Sector groups working with children and young people in this fast-changing area of work. This work engages with all ages including parent/carers and those working with them.
The service will continue to be supported through 2D from April 2009 whilst we submit a tender to host two separate posts from July this year. If successful, we will be able to further develop our work in supporting children, young people and families and voluntary/community groups working with them for the next two years at least. These roles are deeply embedded in the 2D ethos of support for all ages across this sector. In these changing times it is important that we ensure full support and cooperation to those most in need.
