Annual Report
Welcome to the first annual report of the Sunderland Voluntary Sector Youth Forum. The forum was established in the early 90’s for senior staff from voluntary youth work projects to share information and access mutual support.
A development planning event was held in July 2001 followed by a further development phase resulted in the formal establishment of the Sunderland Voluntary Sector Youth Forum as a constituted organisation with charitable status.
A Development Manager and Administrator were appointed in January and April 2003 respectively. The Forums office base was established and the work commenced. As a new organisation with a unique role the Sunderland Voluntary Sector Youth Forum has been able to undertake a broad range of work which address the original aims.
The forum has three main aims and work which has been undertaken is as follows:
To act as a representative body for the voluntary youth work sector in Sunderland in order to ensure that voluntary youth work provision is adequately represented in new developments and existing structures.
- Acting Chair Connexions Sunderland Local Management Committee
- Member of the Children and Young Peoples Strategic Partnership Board
- IRT Organisation Working Group
- Chair of A690 Youth Project
- Establishment of the West Area Youth Forum
- Keyfund Federation Trustee
- Regional Youth Work Forum
- Angel Group
To promote and encourage effective operational practices within the Sunderland voluntary youth work sector.
- Advice and support regarding financial management
- Advice and support regarding recruitment of staff
- Assistance with Job descriptions and contracts
- Non managerial support
- Fundraising support and advice
- Support with organisational issues
To enable the Sunderland based voluntary youth work organisations to undertake collective initiatives on a city-wide basis.
- City Wide ‘Fortress Europe’ event in conjunction with Save the Children
- Asylum Seekers and Refugee Awareness raising Event conjunction with Save the Children
- City Wide consultation with young people involving youth work projects and the Youth Strategy Officer
- Connexions Service Positive Activities for Young People co-ordination of city wide programme in partnership with the Youth Development Group.
- IT equipment and training for forum members
- Established a transport initiative and provided driver training.
