We work with communities and groups to embed their voices and experiences into shaping decision and policy making in Milton Keynes. We gather lived experiences from a range of communities via grassroots groups to inform priorities, identify emerging issues and develop solutions.
There is strength in gathering insight from groups to help influence policy.
We believe that Milton Keynes is stronger when organisations work collaboratively, so through this strand of work we are building and supporting networks made up of VCSE (Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise) Sector organisations and strategic partners. These are arranged around important themes and areas of work with Voluntary Sector Alliance acting as an overarching representative group. Some of this work around capacity building for VCSE groups, is funded by The National Lottery Community Fund as part of the Reaching Communities funding programme.
MK Voluntary Sector Alliance
In order to give the VCSE groups and networks in Milton Keynes as much strategic voice as possible, we have developed the Milton Keynes Voluntary Sector Alliance, and we are developing it further to ensure if represented a wide range of groups and communities that they work with.
The Alliance is made up of representatives from the many VCSE networks in Milton Keynes, bringing the voices, lived experiences and needs of the varied communities they support to the group.
The Voluntary Sector Alliance provides the VCSE with a clear and purposeful route into the Public Sector. Through the Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes Integrated Care System (ICS) and the local partnership arrangements through MK Together.