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Community First for Portsmouth Ltd is constituted as a Council for Voluntary Service (CVS)

We are a Local Infrastructure Organisation (LIO), umbrella and support agency for the Voluntary and Community (Third) Sector in Portsmouth

Our Mission
To support a thriving Civil Society in Portsmouth.

Our purpose
To lead the development of a vibrant Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS) whose voice is at the heart of decision making.

What we do
Community First for Portsmouth brings local Voluntary and Community Organisations (VCOs) together to promote and develop effective local voluntary and community action. We use local knowledge and expertise to operate at the heart of the community. Community First for Portsmouth assists in the support of new and existing groups, helping them to identify need, and develop initiatives and activities to meet them. We encourage and develop partnership working for the good of the local community, and provide a channel for local groups to voice their opinions on local policy issues.

RESOURCES

Group Support
Community First offers help with starting up new groups, supporting existing ones and providing a range of resources for all organisations, established or new.

Support services and resources include:

• New Group starter pack
• Governing documents (constitutions)
• Committee Structures and governance
• Setting aims and objectives
• Managing funds and finance
• Recruiting and supporting volunteers
• Establishing training requirements
• Policies and procedures

Library
Community First has a library of useful publications on a range of topics including funding and fundraising

• organisational structures
• employment and human resources
• Charity law and other legal information
• volunteering
• management and governance

…and many others.

Funderfinder
Community First has an interactive database of funding sources applicable to charities and community groups. (Also see funding advice section)

Room Hire
Community First has two rooms available for hire:

Conference and Training room.
This is equipped with audiovisual equipment and IT for e-learning. Suitable for:

• Meetings (up to 50 people)
• Small conferences
• Seminars
• Training courses
• E-learning
• UK on-line centre

Small Meeting Room, Suitable for

• Meetings (up to 20 people)
• Small seminars
• Training sessions/small group work
• Private interviews

Equipment for use, loan or hire.

Overhead projector
Laptop
Document binder
Laminator
Photocopier (colour or black and white)
Camcorder

Rates available on request

How we do it

Community First for Portsmouth operates according to the five core functions of a CVS as determined by the National Association of Voluntary and Community Action (NAVCA) of which we are a member

Services and Support
Providing a range of information, advice, support and resources to the Voluntary Sector and local communities

Liaison
Liaising between the Voluntary & Community Sector and other agencies, including public bodies, the private sector and local networks

Representation
Enabling effective representation and championing the cause of the Sector and its voice at networks, events, in the media and through consultation.

Development Work
Raising the capacity of the Sector and local communities to effectively engage in voluntary action through training, community development and events

Strategic Partnerships
Engaging in strategic and practical partnership working with our members, Portsmouth City Council, the NHS and other agencies to make Portsmouth an even better, safer and healthier place to live, work, play in or visit.

In common with many CVS we also run the local Volunteer Centre and some direct community services – for example, Community Transport.

Our Strategic Objectives and operational priorities are determined through consultation with our members, user-groups and partners.

For the Community First Strategy, click here

Our services and activities aim to met the needs of the local Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS)

For the Community First Business Plan, click here

Relationship with external bodies.

Community First for Portsmouth is a member of a number of national and regional Voluntary Sector bodies including the following:

• National Association for Voluntary and Community Action (NAVCA)
• National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO)
• Community Matters
• Urban Forum
• RAISE

We also have close links and work in partnership with many statutory (public) bodies including:

• Portsmouth City Council
• Portsmouth (NHS) Primary Care Trust
• Portsmouth (NHS) Hospitals Trust
• Hampshire Constabulary
• Business Link (also see below)

and with the Business (commercial) Sector through the following agencies

• Business Link
• Portsmouth & S E Hampshire Chamber of Commerce

Community First for Portsmouth Limited is an independent organisation.
Registered Charity No. 062338
Company Limited by Guarantee No. 3335975