BD4+ Community Anchor

The anchor role is not about direct representation of communities but is about supporting, coordinating and voicing the collective voice, insight, and contribution of VCSE organisations within the local Community Partnership (CP).

As a Community Anchor we act as the bridge between grassroots VCSE organisations and the Community Partnership, ensuring system-level decisions are informed by lived experience, local intelligence, and sector expertise.

.Anchor Organisation Responsibilities

The Anchor agrees to:

A. Local (CP Area) VCSE Leadership

· Act as a facilitative leader to convene, support and represent local VCSE organisations working on health and wellbeing.

· Engage a broad and inclusive range of VCSE partners through ongoing communication and network-building.

· Engage in and work pro-actively within the Integrated Neighbourhood model of working.

B. Representation and Engagement

· Attend Community Partnership leadership meetings (or delegate attendance), to present a collective VCSE perspective, bringing insight, challenge from across you’re CP area.

· Actively listen to and respond to local VCSE issues, supporting their contribution to help shape CP decisions.

· Attend bi-monthly meetings for reflection and learning sessions (To be organised by the VCS Alliance).

· Foster collaboration between VCSE partners and the Community Partnership, including its non-VCSE member organisations across the wider health and care system.

· The Community Anchor Organisation will be expected to work in partnership with the emerging Locality Anchors (name subject to change), by:

o Aligning activity and priorities where appropriate to strengthen the overall VCSE voice across the system and avoiding duplication.

o Sharing relevant intelligence, insights, and learning.

o Contributing to a collaborative culture that supports mutual aims between community and place-based VCSE leadership.