National Association for Voluntary and Community Action

National Association for Voluntary and Community Action
Formation 1991 as NACVS, renamed NAVCA in 2006
Legal status Charity
Purpose promotes the local voluntary and community sector nationally
Location
Region served
UK
Chief Executive Officer
Joe Irvin
Website www.navca.org.uk

NAVCA (the National Association for Voluntary and Community Action) is the national membership body for local support and development organisations in England. It is a registered charity (1001635), based in Sheffield, and was previously called the National Association of Councils for Voluntary Service (NACVS). NAVCA is a strategic partner of the Department of Health [1] and the Cabinet Office's Office for Civil Society.[2][3]

History

The Councils for Voluntary Service National Association was a project of NCVO. In 1991 this project became independent and was named the National Association of Councils for Voluntary Service (NACVS). In June 2006 NACVS was renamed the National Association for Voluntary and Community Action (NAVCA). Since December 2014 its Chief Executive has been Neil Cleeveley.[4] Previous Chief Executives have been Joe Irvin [5] and Kevin Curley.[6]

Purpose

NAVCA’s stated purpose is to promote the local voluntary and community sector nationally. It provides members with information, advice, networking and learning opportunities, support and development services and in turn it draws on its members' experience to influence government and contribute to national policy.[7] Local support and development organisations are often known as Voluntary Action, Community Action or Council for Voluntary Service. These organisations support local charities, voluntary organisations and community groups by providing them with support, information and funding advice.

Campaigns

NAVCA has led the campaign to defend grant funding and leads the Local Grants Forum, a coalition of 17 national charities that campaigns to protect grants for local voluntary organisations and community groups.[8]

NAVCA is a partner of the Early Intervention Foundation, which supports the greater use of early intervention measures to tackle the root causes of social problems amongst children and young people, from 0–18 years old.

NAVCA advocates social value, whereby public authorities have regard to economic, social and environmental well-being when commissioning goods and services. NAVCA supported Chris White MP's private members bill that incorporated social value in legislation through the Public Services (Social Value) Act 2012.[9]

Membership

NAVCA has a membership network of over 250 local support and development charities. NAVCA members work with over 160,000 organisations that cover almost every local authority area in England, and provide advice, support and services to charities in their local area. NAVCA's members are listed in a directory of members and local contacts.[10]

References

  1. http://www.voluntarysectorhealthcare.org.uk/
  2. "Office for Civil Society appoints Strategic Partners", Gov.uk, 8 February 2012. Retrieved 9 April 2013
  3. "Strategic partnerships announced by Office for Civil Society", Civil Society.co.uk, 22 March 2011. Retrieved 9 April 2013
  4. http://www.civilsociety.co.uk/governance/news/content/18613/navca_appoints_neil_cleeveley_as_chief_executive
  5. Mills, David: "Navca's Joe Irvin: Getting stuck in for the social sector", The Guardian, 7 February 2012. Retrieved 9 April 2013
  6. Kelly, Annie: "Do-it-yourself made simple", The Guardian, 6 June 2007. Retrieved 9 April 2013
  7. http://www.navca.org.uk/about-1
  8. http://www.navca.org.uk/stratwork/natpolicy/localgrants
  9. "Public Services (Social Value) Act 2012", Legislation.gov.uk. Retrieved 9 April 2013
  10. http://data.navca.org.uk/members/directory
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