Third Sector Forum

The Third Sector Forum is an independent network of Third Sector groups, organised and chaired by VAO. The Forum provides a co-ordinated voice for Orkney’s third sector, allowing all of us to have a stronger influence on the issues that affect organisations and communities in Orkney.

There is a clear link with the Orkney Partnership Board (OPB) through which issues of importance to the sector can be raised and discussed and, crucially, third sector activity recognised and included in the Orkney Community Plan.

In addition to meeting as part of the full Third Sector Forum, participants can also take part in smaller sub groups. These groups:

– share information and good practice
– identify needs and allow partners to learn from each other
– act as a conduit for information to and from the sector
– lobby, both locally and nationally, on issues that affect the sector

We’re always keen to welcome new members to the groups, please contact Cecily or Kerry for more information.

Third Sector Forum – next meetings:

  • Health and Social Care Group – 10 March 2023
  • Third Sector Recovery and Renew Sub Group – TBC
  • Third Sector Working Group – last Friday of each month
  • Third Sector Forum – on hold
Third Sector Forum

The full Forum is open to all third sector services and organisations, including those involved in health and social care, sport, arts and crafts, heritage, etc. Meetings of the full Third Sector Forum are currently on hold.

Click here to view minutes and papers from previous meetings.

Third Sector Forum - Third Sector Working Group

The Third Sector Working Group is comprised of third sector managers whose organisations are funded by statutory agencies and/or who have formal arrangements eg SLA, are commissioned or have paid staff. The Group is a forum for the receipt and exchange of information and peer support and acts as a link between special interest groups and the Third Sector Forum.

The Group meets at 11.00 am on the last Friday of each month

Meetings are currently being held in Zoom

If you would like to take part in this group, please contact kerry.wilson@vaorkney.org.uk

Third Sector Forum - Recovery and Renew Sub Group

Orkney Islands Council has established three groups as part of a recovery and renew strategy. The groups focus on the economy, people and communities and have similar objectives to the established Orkney Partnership delivery groups of Vibrant Economy, Living Well and Strong Community. Two of these groups have aligned with the OIC groups:

Economic Recovery Steering Group/Vibrant Economy Delivery Group
Caring for People Sub Group
Community Recovery/Liaison Sub Group/Strong Communities Delivery Group

VAO have set up a Third Sector Forum Recovery and Renew Sub-Group to gather and record community concerns, feelings and initiatives and bring these to the attention of the Recovery and Renew Sub Groups above. The Sub-Group maintains a positive attendance from a spread of third sector services and since July have continuously worked towards completing planned actions, the latest iteration of which can be found here.

If you would like to take part in this group, please contact kerry.wilson@vaorkney.org.uk

Meetings are currently being held in Zoom.

Click here to view minutes and papers from previous meetings.

Third Sector Forum – Health and Social Care Group

The Third Sector Forum Health and Social Care Group is open all third sector services and organisations involved in health and social care. Members are encouraged to submit agenda items to make sure that the issues important to your group are discussed and presentations from third sector and statutory partners are regularly given. Meetings are currently being held in Zoom and dates for 2023 are as follows:

10 March 2023

If you would like to take part in this group, please contact cecily.cromby@vaorkney.org.uk

Click here to view minutes and papers from previous meetings.

Third Sector Forum Recovery and Renew Case Studies

Our third sector partners work hard to deliver their services under Covid-19 conditions.

Here we present a series of case studies that demonstrate how our colleagues have supported communities through this recent period of change.

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