Sandwell Council of Voluntary Organisations - SCVO. Supporting the Growth of Community Action in Sandwell.

SCVO’s first ever survey of Sandwell’s Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS) leadership, undertaken during the month of October, has proved to be an overwhelming success, with almost one quarter of Sector leaders sharing invaluable insights into their current challenges and revealing their feelings on the future.

The survey, which could be filled-in on-line or by post, was completed by almost 200 chairs, chief executives, managers and volunteers across the whole span of the Sector, from community groups to established charitable businesses.  Respondents were asked to share their experiences over the last 12 months – a time during which the recession has hit hard, funding has become more scarce, and the support needs of Sandwell’s communities has grown. 

The survey also quizzed VCS leaders on their feelings about their future and potential threats to their organisations, on their relationship with the local public sector, and on how they feel able to engage and impact on decisions that affect Sandwell.

Mark Davis, SCVO’s Chief Executive, said “I’d like to thank all VCS leaders who took the time to fill in our 5 Minute Survey.   We’ve been delighted with the response and now have a clearer view than ever on where the Sector feels the challenges lie in the years ahead.  SCVO are always keen to hear what VCS organisations have to say, and collecting this information helps us to express and promote better the value that the VCS brings to the whole of Sandwell.”

SCVO now intend to share these findings widely with Sandwell Council and other local public sector partners, focusing particularly on the work to develop an environment for a thriving voluntary and community sector.

The survey is just one part of SCVO’s current efforts to increase the knowledge and intelligence on Sandwell’s VCS.  SCVO’s well-established and popular on-line database http://www.sandwellvcs.info/ is currently undergoing a significant overhaul under wraps, with a much enhanced database due to be launched in the first half of 2010.

The full VCS Leaders Survey report can be viewed by downloading the document below.

Report On Sandwell VCS Leaders Survey 2009

Further information on this survey and on SCVO’s information role can be obtained from Mark Davis, on 0121 565 8939, email: mark@scvo.info