The Aims of High Peak CVS are:

• To develop the capacity and quality of the community and voluntary sector in the High Peak.
  
• To establish and nurture effective working relationships between and within sectors. (Sectors include voluntary, & community, statutory and business).
  
• To provide services to meet the needs of the community and voluntary sector within the High Peak.
  
• To develop confident, effective voluntary and community groups able to influence local development.
  
• To create a secure and effective CVS in line with member needs.
  
• To support the voluntary and community sector to be an influential and equal partner within partnerships relevant to the High Peak.
  

About CVS

Councils for Voluntary Service (CVS) are local development agencies that form a key part of the local community and voluntary sector. They are set up by local groups to support, promote and develop local voluntary action.

The first CVS was set up at the end of the 19th century to co-ordinate voluntary effort and promote new organisations to fill gaps in local services. In 1945 CVS linked up to form a national network, NACVS, which now has a membership of over 300 local CVS throughout England. High Peak CVS is a full member of NACVS

High Peak CVS

High Peak CVS was first conceived in 1997,when a number of voluntary organisations recognised the requirement for a local CVS. After a number of meetings involving community groups and voluntary agencies, a feasibility study was commissioned and published, based on in depth research into the support needs of voluntary groups in the High Peak and Derbyshire Dales.

From here, voluntary and community groups across the district decided to form a CVS to cover the High Peak borough, and it was officially launched in May 2000.

By early 2002, funding was in place to employ a small staff team and, in September 2002, High Peak CVS moved into premises in Whaley Bridge. The building was purchased in 2003, giving the organisation a permanent base to work from.

Since then, the organisation has grown with the addition of new projects and staff.

High Peak CVS is a membership organisation, currently with over 200 local voluntary and community groups in membership – testament to the value and service that the CVS provides within the area.

Find out more about the work of the organisation by downloading our latest newsletter or annual report.

High Peak CVS carries out 5 functions

1 Development

• Supporting, encouraging and training groups of individuals who want to create new organisations to meet needs that they have identified in their community.
• Providing support, encouragement and guidance for existing groups so that they meet new areas of need they have identified in their community.
• Assisting the voluntary and community sector to respond to changing laws, rules and opportunities.

2 Liaison

• Helping voluntary and community groups deal effectively with other sectors (Health, Local Authority, Central Government, Private sector).
• Providing forums for groups to share ideas and information and to learn from each other.

3 Enabling representation

• Assisting groups in their concerns and aspirations and helping them to voice their concerns and mount campaigns.

4 Services

• Providing practical services and support for local groups:
  • Computing
  • Internet access
  • Printing and copying
  • Accounting
  • Support in writing funding applications and business plans.
• Providing training and links to training.
• Providing information services through a Directory of Local Community and Voluntary Organisations and Community Resource Library.
• Providing a communication service to and between voluntary and community groups through newsletters, web pages, public presentations and telephone advice.

5 Partnership working

• Strengthening local partnerships through the informed and enthusiastic involvement of the voluntary and community sector.