Blackburn with Darwen Community & Voluntary Service (BwDCVS) works with new and existing organisations to provide services within the Voluntary, Community & Faith Sector (VCFS). Blackburn with Darwen CVS also identifies gaps in the provision of services and works with other agencies to develop new services or encourages existing agencies to extend their services. Advice is offered on constitutional, financial, organisational and legal issues. BWDCVS staff offer development support to individual organisations.
Office support
BWDCVS can offer meeting rooms, typing, photocopying, fax facilities and access to E-mail. We have display boards, portable overhead projector, laminator and document binder, all available for hire at a small charge.
Our trading arm, BWD Services
We also offer a complete marketing and graphic design service delivered by our trading arm BWD Services CiC. Organisations and groups can access the marketing services, which are aimed at improving the marketing and brand image of voluntary, community and faith groups. The service offers a complete design service for brochures, flyers, annual reports and exhibition materials.
Other support & representation
Individual members of CVS staff offer support to organisations during their negotiations with possible funding bodies, during complaints procedures or when recruiting staff. If we cannot help we can usually refer the organisation to someone who can.
CVS brings VCFS organisations together to discuss issues of common concern and to avoid duplication of effort. CVS can also bring VCFS and statutory agencies together to encourage a partnership approach to providing better services.
CVS seeks to represent the views of the VCFS when appropriate and consults the sector to ensure valid representation. Equally, CVS provides information and support to enable and empower voluntary sector organisations to represent themselves.
Other projects
CVS currently manages the following projects: a Volunteer Centre (incorporating Fast 4WD, which trains a bank of Recovery Support Workers to work within the Substance Misuse Sector, an Inclusive Volunteering project aimed at helping people with extra support needs to get into volunteering & an Employability/Volunteering for Stronger Communities Project aimed at identifying and recruiting those furthest from the employment market to enable them to volunteer for the purposes of gaining transferrable experience for future paid employment), a Families Health & Well-Being Service and a Parent Partnership/Schools Choice Advice Service which provides support to parents & carers in Blackburn with Darwen, particularly those with children who have Special Educational Needs.
CVS also hosts the Older People’s Forum, a body which helps people over the age of 50 in Blackburn with Darwen to enjoy an active and fulfilling life, by providing access to social opportunities, activities and education.