TORBAY VOLUNTARY SERVICE

A Council for Voluntary Service formed and run by local voluntary and community groups. Torbay Voluntary Service exists to promote and develop the effectiveness of local voluntary actions by. Providing support services such as information, advice and training, meeting rooms, photocopying etc. Identifying new needs and developing initiatives for meeting them. Promoting partnerships between statutory and voluntary sectors in the delivery of welfare services. Supporting innovation, accountability and good practice in local services. Encouraging local groups and organisations to put forward their views on local and national policies and decisions that affect them. Creating and promoting forums and channels used by government and other bodies to consult the community Providing these supports in a special way and with particular values, working with people, groups and communities in a flexible, open way and challenging inequality.

Promote the importance of local infrastructures and the voluntary sector. Input local views into local planning and policy making Be a focus for local networking between statutory, voluntary and corporate organisations and networks. Provide comprehensive local information, advice and guidance services for local voluntary organisations Establish new local initiatives in response to identified need Disseminate good practice in running and managing voluntary groups and volunteers. Provide development support to local groups. Promoting local voluntary and community action is a means of combating disadvantage. It is a contribution to the quality of life for groups, communities and individuals in local areas and to their empowerment No person should suffer oppression or lack of opportunity because of race, gender, belief, sexuality, disability, age, class or geographical location To promote any charitable purposes, for the benefit of the community, in the local government district of Torbay (hereinafter called 'the area of benefit') and, in particular, the advancement of education, the protection of health and the relief of poverty, disease, and sickness, and in the furtherance of the said purposes, but not further or otherwise, to promote and organise co-operation in the achievement of the same and to that end, bring together in council, representatives of the voluntary organisations and statutory authorities within the area of benefits."