Third Sector Network Launched
Howard Lake | 18 May 2006 | News
PRESS RELEASE
For release on: 18 May 2006
A new and powerful voice for the third sector has been launched today. The Third Sector Network, for the first time, unites voluntary and community organisations, trade unions, housing associations, social enterprises, co-operatives and mutuals, to share ideas and experience and work together on issues of common concern.
The launch of the Network comes at an important time for the third sector and one of its first tasks will be to prepare a joint submission to the Treasury’s consultation on the Comprehensive Spending Review (CSR). The CSR will decide what money is allocated to every Government Department from 2008 – 2011 and the consultation is the largest the Treasury has ever held with the third sector.
The Network will bring together representative bodies from across the sector, using their collective strength to work on key strategic issues such as the CSR. Tom Wilson, Head of Organisation and Services Department at the Trade Union Congress (TUC) said: ‘Trade Unions share the commitment of other third sector organisations to giving people a voice, whether in the workplace or in their community, and wider goals such as equality and social justice. Unions are about collective strength and this network provides a great foundation for the wider third sector to work together.’
Dame Pauline Green, Chief Executive of Co-operatives UK said: ‘Historically charities and co-operatives, for example, have developed along quite separate paths. This network recognises what we have in common and provides a real opportunity to raise the profile of the third sector and its value to society and to the economy.’
Stuart Etherington, Chief Executive of NCVO said: ‘Third sector organisations share a desire to make a positive difference to society, and do so in different ways. This idea came from NCVO members during our strategic review in 2005 and I believe that the new broad alliance will strengthen our voice and will have real influence on public opinion and at Westminster.’
The Network will meet regularly and will take forward their work on the CSR at their next meeting in July.
Ends
For media enquiries, please contact: Gillen Knight in the NCVO press office on 020 7520 2468 or email
pr***@nc******.uk
Notes to editors:
1. The National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) is the umbrella body for the voluntary sector in England, with sister councils in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. NCVO has a growing membership of over 4,000 voluntary organisations, ranging from large national bodies to community groups, volunteer bureaux, and development agencies working at a local level.
2. The Third Sector Network is a network of Third Sector umbrella bodies working on issues of common concern. The current members of the Network are NCVO, Co-Operative UK, National Housing Federation, Social Enterprise Coalition, Trade Union Congress, acevo, Black Training and Enterprise Group, Charities Aid Foundation, Institute of Fundraising, NACVS and Volunteering England. The network is facilitated by Belinda Pratten. Email:
be*************@nc******.uk
or Tel: 020 7520 2558. The Third Sector Network’s Statement of Principles is attached.
About Howard Lake
Howard Lake is consultant editor of UK Fundraising. He founded the site in 1994 and successfully sold it in 2022. As director of Giving X Ltd he is exploring growing giving on a massive scale.
He is the founder of Fundraising Camp and co-founder of GoodJobs.