Public Servant Lifestyle

The National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) - the umbrella body for the voluntary sector in England - has launched its new Public Sector Affiliate Scheme, in a bid to forge better understanding between the voluntary and public sectors.

The public sector now accounts for 37% of charities' total income - largely due to substantial growth in public service delivery by the voluntary sector.

The NCVO Public Sector Affiliate Scheme - endorsed by both the NHS Confederation and the Improvement and Development Agency - provides affiliates with tailored up-to-date information on the voluntary sector. With both sectors offering distinctive areas of expertise around the delivery of public services, affiliation with NCVO will help develop a better dialogue and opportunities for more joint working.

As Stuart Etherington, NCVO’s chief executive, explains: "Given the growth of public service delivery by voluntary organisations and the government's desire to see even more, there has never been a more crucial time for the public and voluntary sector to gain a better understanding of one another. Both sectors have a wealth of knowledge which if shared more widely will help strengthen this relationship further."

"Affiliation with NCVO will benefit any health organisation that wants to gain an insight into the voluntary sector," adds Gill Morgan, Chief Executive, NHS Confederation chief executive Gill Morgan. "With around 30% of NHS care now delivered by non-NHS organisations, it is clearly in both sides’ interests to develop a greater understanding of each other in order to improve their working relationship."

Lucy de Groot, the Improvement and Development Agency (IDeA) executive director, comments: "Local government has a long history of working with voluntary organisations to deliver solutions for customers, but new forms of partnership involve new challenges. It can only benefit local government and the communities they serve to improve their relationship with the voluntary sector. As an advocate of the best in local government, IDeA is pleased to support affiliation with NCVO."

Unlike NCVO voluntary sector membership, those joining the Public Sector Affiliate Scheme will not be eligible to vote at NCVO’s Annual General Meeting, or represented by NCVO in its advocacy and campaigning work. For more information on the Public Sector Affiliate Scheme from the NCVO, visit: www.ncvo-vol.org.uk

PSP Ltd is not responsible for the content of external websites.

More information available in Giving