What is leadership and advocacy?

‍Leadership and advocacy is one of the key roles that NAVCA members, local infrastructure organisations (LIOs), play in their communities. NAVCA members have a good understanding and overview of what’s happening in their local area, where extra support is needed, and what the community cares about. In this blog post, we explore what this looks like in practice, and why it’s so important.

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LIOs are leaders in and advocates for the VCSE sector and the communities they work within. They play an important role in convening different partners in a local area including health systems, local authorities and the VCSE sector. They build working relationships with partners including local authorities, health systems and other statutory partners to make sure that the knowledge, expertise and needs of the voluntary sector are represented in strategic decision making.

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So, why is this so important?

1. The voluntary sector and communities they work with have more of a say in decisions that affect them.
2. The expertise and experience of people from marginalised or underrepresented communities is more likely to be heard and acted on.
3. Local councils and health and care systems are better informed about what’s going on locally, meaning services and funding can be better allocated.
4. The voluntary sector is seen as an important strategic partner.

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These outcomes are enabled by the local infrastructure organisation, the local NAVCA member, being an effective leader and advocate. So, what type of activities contribute to effective leadership and advocacy?

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NAVCA members also carry out activities to ensure that equity, equality, diversity and inclusion are at the forefront of local decision-making, such as training for staff, consulting with marginalised or underrepresented groups, and using lived experience to inform strategy and action.

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NAVCA members lead representation of the voluntary sector on local strategic networks and forums, regularly consulting with the sector to ensure that they can represent all communities effectively.

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Through strategic planning, local infrastructure organisations aim to provide leadership for the VCSE sector and advocate for its needs. Through this representation, NAVCA members can advocate not only for the needs of the sector, but for what it can contribute to policy and delivery objectives.

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When LIOs provide leadership and advocacy for the VCSE sector with health systems, local authorities and other strategic partners, they are able to represent the value, strengths and opportunities, and needs of the sector and the communities they work within. That’s why it’s so important that local infrastructure organisations are recognised and supported in their local communities.

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It’s important that we understand what NAVCA members do, which is why we’re exploring leadership and advocacy on our blog and social media throughout March. Head to LinkedIn to join the conversation.

Photo by Khyta on Unsplash