Support Networks Providing a Voice

Basingstoke and Deane Community Network

The Network represents the views of local people through community interest groups. It provides a perspective from community interest groups on their experience and aspirations; Connects with community interest groups and groups to channel ideas, views and issues through their representatives to the BASP (Basingstoke Area Strategic Partnership); Feeds into the development of the vision and priorities for the future and keep informed of decisions made by the BASP; Facilitates a wider involvement to enable issues and concern to be raised. 2 Representatives of this network are elected to sit on the BASP Board Contact: Sue Rayden Telephone: 01256 845282 Email: lsp.manager@basingstoke.gov.uk Website: http://www.basingstoke.gov.uk/browse/council-and-democracy/policies-and-plans/localpartn.htm

Basingstoke and Deane Cultural Forum

The Cultural Forum is an integrated network and collective voice for the individuals and organisations that comprise the cultural sector of Basingstoke and Deane. Its purpose is to advocate and champion cultural activity on a local, regional and national level. The forum will reflect the diversity of the Borough's community through inclusive, quality activity which helps to ensure equity and access for everyone. The Forum aims to act as a conduit for cultural activity and information in the borough, co-ordinating and supporting initiatives as appropriate; inform and advise the LSP and Borough Council on cultural issues; influence the Community Strategy, the implementation of its action plan and the realisation of broader borough goals; help demonstrate the effects and impact of cultural activity on community well being Telephone: 01256 844844

Basingstoke and Deane Sports Coaching Forum

The Basingstoke and Deane Sports Coaching Forum meets when required to discuss and progress sports coaching issues and initiatives within the Borough. The group is currently made up from local sporting representatives from the Borough Council, Voluntary Local Sports Council, BCOT, QMC, Brighton Hill Sports College, Basingstoke Gymnastics Club, Totally Tennis, Basingstoke Bluefins Swimming Club, North Hants Netball and others on occasion or invite. Meetings also have guest attendance from the Hampshire County Sports Team, Sports Coach UK or others as required. Clubs and coaches are more than welcome to raise issues or request information to be added to this site. Contact: Kevin Laing Website: basingstokelsc@btinternet.com

Employees in the Community Network

The Basingstoke Employee Volunteering Network was set up to enable local voluntary and community groups to benefit from the skills, expertise and practical assistance available to them on a voluntary basis from local companies. The Network comprises local businesses and voluntary and community groups, enabling members to learn from each other, share ideas and maximise the effectiveness of employee volunteering. The overall aim is to create stronger and better resourced communities for Basingstoke. Current activities include: The development of a Challenge Bank of team building days for employee volunteers within the local community; The creation of a Skills Bank of business skills and expertise available pro bono for local voluntary and community groups. Contact: Vivien Harrison Telephone: 01256 423833 Email: vivien.harrison@voluntaryservices.com Website: www.voluntaryservices.com

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Social Enterprise Network

The Hampshire & Isle of Wight Social Enterprise Network (H&IoWSEN) is an open network of Hampshire based organisations and individuals with an active interest in the development of a thriving social enterprise sector. 'Open' means that anyone can come along to meetings and get involved and 'network' expresses the strategic decision made by network members to develop influence without the chains of constitution. Website: http://www.se2partnership.co.uk/networks.asp?n=6

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Local Government Association

The Association provides a structure for collaboration between local authorities in Hampshire, Portsmouth, Southampton and Isle of Wight. They represent local authorities serving a population of over 1.8 million people from Portsmouth, the Isle of Wight and the New Forest in the south to Andover, Basingstoke and Farnborough in the north. These local authorities are Portsmouth and Southampton City Councils, the Isle of Wight Council, Hampshire County Council and 11 District Councils, the Police Authority, Hampshire Fire and Rescue Authority, and the New Forest National Park Authority and local (parish and town) councils. The Associations of Local Councils are full members of the Association, and representatives of the voluntary vector also attend. Website: http://www.hiow.gov.uk/index.html

Hampshire Association of Local Councils (HALC)

The HALC is a membership organisation supporting and representing the interests of local councils across Hampshire. There are currently 250 parish and town councils across Hampshire that are members of HALC. This represents 98% of Hampshire parish and town councils. Website: http://www.hampshire-alc.gov.uk/

Hampshire CVS Network

Across Hampshire there are 11 district level Councils for Voluntary Service (CVS) and 1 Hampshire-wide CVS and Rural Community Council. Each CVS offers a range of services to voluntary and community groups and organisations based in Hampshire, to enable them to carry out their work, achieve their aims and become more effective. BVS is the CVS for Basingstoke and Deane. To find out where the other CVS are based go to Website: http://www.hampshirecvs.org.uk/

Hampshire Interfaith Network (HIN)

The HIN brings together individuals and groups belonging to the nine faiths represented on the UK Interfaith Network Council (Jewish, Christian, Muslim, Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Bahai, Jain and Zoroastrian.) The objective of the Hampshire Interfaith Network (HIN) is the promotion of interfaith understanding and enhancing harmony between faiths for the benefit of the people of Hampshire. Website: http://www.hants-interfaith.org/

Healthy Gay Hampshire - North Hants LGBT Groups

Co-ordinate and support local LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender) groups in Further Education and 6th Form Colleges, A new gay night has opened it's doors on Thursday nights in Basingstoke at Poison Bar on Old Reading Road (just off the Churchill Roundabout towards Basing View). The town centre venue is very close to the train station and is tastefully decorated. Contact: Gary Jefferson Telephone: 0300 123 9117 Website: www.healthygayhampshire.com

Local Business Partnership

The newly created Borough Business Partnership has evolved from, and enhances, the Local Business Partnership perspective. It fulfils a precise and clearly defined role by providing a forum for discussion between the Council, local businesses, business support organisations and the regional development agency, dealing with non-regulatory matters, and acting as a strategic sounding board for the Council by providing a broad corporate consultation base on such topics as the Local Plan, Council Plan, Regional Strategies or where partnership working is required on LSP issues and proposed Council initiatives. Website: http://www.basingstoke.gov.uk/business/regulatory/lbp/

Local Government Association

The LGA is a voluntary membership body with 422 member authorities covering every part of England and Wales. Together they represent over 50 million people and spend around £113 billion a year on local services. They include county councils, metropolitan district councils, English unitary authorities, London boroughs and shire district councils, along with fire authorities, police authorities, national park authorities and passenger transport authorities. Website: http://www.lga.gov.uk/lga/core/page.do?pageId=1

Multi-Agency Diversity Forum

The MAD Forum brings together the voluntary/community sector and various partners to look at equality and diversity issues. Different communities attend the Forum to explain their cultures and how some normal mannerisms might be misinterpreted. This forum aims to share information on current issues, service development, work streams and any other matters relating to the different Ethnic, Cultural and Disabled Groups within Basingstoke and Deane. This is to provide support to that process and support and influence local partners in improving outcomes. Contact: Rebecca Kennelly Telephone: 01256 423816 Email: bvs@voluntaryservices.com Website: http://b-v-s.co.uk/multi-agency-diversity-forum-i-3091.php

North Hampshire Chamber of Commerce and Industry

North Hampshire Chamber of Commerce and Industry is independent, not-for-profit, and politically impartial. It comprises businesses and organisations from all areas of commerce and industry. It is owned and managed by business for business. It offers business services, runs networking events and lobbies government on business issues. It is big enough to speak on your behalf at local, regional and national level, and small enough to retain the local knowledge and information to help your business. It is part of a regional, national and global network. It is the leading business support organisation in north Hampshire and is the most powerful business club in your area. Website: http://www.nhcci.co.uk/

Partnership for Urban South Hampshire (PUSH)

PUSH is a partnership of local authorities in South Hampshire dedicated to sustainable, economic-led growth and improving prosperity and the quality of life for everyone who lives, works and spends their leisure time in South Hampshire. Website: http://www.push.gov.uk/

South East England Faith Forum

SEEFF supports and brings together the interests of faith communities; non-Faith organisations and regional bodies, to promote mutual Faith understanding and engagement for the benefit of the whole community. Website: http://www.se-faithforum.net/

Supporting People

Supporting People is a Government funded programme that aims to make sure people get the housing related support they need to live more independently. The programme offers vulnerable people the opportunity to improve their quality of life by providing a stable environment which enables greater independence, and reduces the need for people to unnecessarily move into a residential setting. Website: http://www3.hants.gov.uk/adult-services/health-wellbeing/wellbeing-partnerships/health-wellbeing-partnership-board.htm

Voluntary Sector Forum

The VSF is a support structure for voluntary and community groups in Basingstoke and Deane. It aims to Promote the Voluntary and Community Sector within the Borough; Promote partnership working in the sector and with other agencies; Promote and celebrate voluntary and community activity in the Borough; Promote volunteering as a worthwhile and rewarding activity. The Forum does this through Supporting all members through an annual programme providing information, updates and on-going professional development; Enabling voluntary and community groups to come together to exchange information ,share ideas and address issues of mutual interest and importance; Facilitate dialogue between partners and develop links with prospective partners; Giving the sector a bigger voice and more effective representation at a strategic level; Influencing local strategies that will bring community benefit; Making best use of sector skills, resources, information and expertise by working co-operatively. Membership of the forum is open to representatives of voluntary and community organisations in Basingstoke and Deane and individuals from interested parties. Contact: Rebecca Kennelly Telephone: 01256 423816 Email: bvs@voluntaryservices.com Website: www.voluntaryservices.com/voluntary-sector-forum-i-2963.php

UK Disabled People's Council

UKDPC was first established in 1981 as the British Council of Disabled People, to be the umbrella body for disabled people's organisations across the United Kingdom. They believe in, and strive for, the full inclusion of disabled people in society and the workplace. For them, inclusion is a human rights and civil liberties issue that must be effectively tackled. By working in partnership with disabled people's organisations, the government and other bodies, they believe that equality can be achieved. Contact: Jaspal Dhani Telephone: 020 8522 7433 Email: ceo@ukdpc.net Website: www.ukdpc.net

Uni Network

The Network's mission is to promote equality and the social inclusion of people from minority ethnic communities through developing local networks in South East England that meet the needs of their communities, and influencing public policy. Contact: Rajinder Sohpal Telephone: 0118 951 0279 Email: rajinder@rcre.co.uk Website: http://www.theuninetwork.org.uk/index.html