Representation

An important function of ACVO is to ensure the best interests of the voluntary sector are represented on the many different forums and groups in the City. Staff and elected representatives carry out these duties and report back to ACVO.

If you are struggling with a particular issue and feel you need a stronger voice, ACVO will advocate on behalf of the sector. We can represent you locally and nationally.

The Voluntary Sector Social Services Workforce Unit - The Voluntary Sector Social Services Workforce Unit aims to support and promote the development of the voluntary sector social services workforce in Scotland.

The Aberdeen City Alliance (TACA) - The Aberdeen City Alliance was launched in June 2002. Participating partners include the public, private, voluntary and community sectors within the City. The Aberdeen City Alliance drives the Community Planning process in the City and oversees the progress of the Community Plan.

Community Planing Forums - Challenge Forums draw their membership from the participating partners within The Aberdeen City Alliance (TACA) and from associated services, voluntary organisations and community groups.  There are currently 12 Challenge Forums in the city, each have their own action plan to deliver what was stated in the first Community Plan.  There is an annual process of review, target setting and action plans. The Challenge Forums are Leading the City, Community Engagement, Neighbourhood Action/Locality Planning, Health and Social Care (Aberdeen City Community Health Partnership), Homes, Safety, Land Use and Environment, Transport and Connections, Prosperity and Jobs, Aberdeen's Image, Learning and Arts, Heritage and Sport.  The NorthEast Networks are Finance, Personnel, Datashare, ICT(Information and Communications Technology), Property and Performance Management

*Aberdeen Civic Forum - ACVO is not represented on the Aberdeen Civic Forum rather ACVO's involvement with its work is solely through the provision of a Development Worker. The Civic Forum was launched in May 2002 and represents one of the main routes into Community Planning. The Civic Forum draws together representation from every neighbourhood in the City and from Communities of Interest Forums. The Civic Forum has a four places on The Aberdeen City Alliance (TACA) and a minimum of three representatives on each of the Challenge Forums.  Civic Forum members representing the organisation on other bodies are asked to provide feedback on the meetings they attend, and a form is provided for the purpose.

Voluntary Sector Liaison Group (VSLG)

All Strategic Children's Partnerships within Aberdeen - The voluntary sector fully engages in every opportunity to be involved in the planning, preparation and delivery of  integrated services in for Children, Young People and Families.

Cross Parliamentary Children's Working Groups -To ensure issues affecting children and young people are recognised and discussed throughout the working of the Scottish Parliament, in order to ensure that the needs and rights of children and young people are met throughout Scotland.

Aberdeen City Voice - Aberdeen City Voice is the name given to a panel of Aberdeen residents who are contacted on a regular basis and asked for their views on a range of issues. It is one of the key methods used by the Council and its Partners to find out what people think about local services.  This type of consultation is something called a 'Citizens' Panel'. 

National Voluntary Sector Children's Forum - The National Voluntary Children's Forum (NVCF) is a twice yearly meeting of voluntary children's organisations and the Scottish Executive. The purpose of these meetings is to enable issues relevant to the voluntary children's sector to be discussed with the Scottish Executive.

Homelessness Strategy Advisory Group

Aberdeen Joint Alcohol and Drug Action Team (JADAT)

Aberdeen Income Generators Supporters Group - Aberdeen Income Generators Supporters Group is a network of officers of statutory and third sector organisations who are engaged in supporting voluntary and community groups, charities, social enterprises and social firms in their income generation activities whether trading, fundraising, grant-seeking, contracting. Some group members also support other sectors or act as intermediaries between the sectors. The group exists to share information and learning and where appropriate to facilitate activities in support of income generation and capacity building. Its members are ACVO, Scottish Business in the Community, Social Firms Scotland, Langstane Housing Association, Aberdeen City Council External Funding, Aberdeen City Council Community Economic Development, Aberdeen City Council ESF Strategy.

Scottish Business in the Community - Scottish Business in the Community (SBC) is a not-for-profit company whose aim is to "support, broker and challenge businesses to continually improve their positive impact on society to ensure a successful, sustainable economy and environment".

Healthy Living Network

ACVO Networks - ACVO support the following networks; Aberdeen Voluntary Sector Providers Forum, HR Forum (subgroup of AVSPF), Aberdeen Children’s Services Network, Aberdeen Play Forum, Inclusion: More Than Just A Word, Aberdeen Mental Health Reference Group, Aberdeen Disability Consortium, Voluntary Sector Training Network and Aberdeen Civic Forum.

ACVO are members of:

• Scottish Council of Voluntary Organisations
• CVS Network
• The Consultation Institute
• The Institute of Fundraising
• Fundraising Standards Board
• Aberdeen and Grampian Chamber of Commerce
• The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP)