About us

 

Who is CommUNITY Barnet?

 

CommUNITY Barnet is a voluntary organisation which was established in 1979. As part of a national network of Councils for Voluntary Service (CVS), CommUNITY Barnet supports, promotes and co-ordinates an effective voluntary and community sector in the borough to enhance the quality of life for all.  

 

Our Aims

 

We work towards encouraging and supporting new voluntary activity and developing the infrastructure of the sector by improving resources, skills and expertise, working to the following strategic aims:

• To support and promote voluntary and community activities and organisations by providing capacity building, development support services, training, resources, and by developing an information resource/portal for and on the sector.
• To provide proactive and practical support for partnerships and collaborative working; and to support the sector in preparing for commissioning and support their delivery of commissioned services.
• To provide a voice and representation for the sector and those it supports to statutory and public bodies and in multi-agency partnerships; helping the sector to understand and engage with local government agendas; informing and influencing planning, policy and decision-making.
• To identify and prioritise the needs of local communities and people and to develop initiatives to meet those needs.
• To continuously improve the quality and effectiveness of CommUNITY Barnet services, and to grow services in response to changing and emerging needs, communities and changes in the environment.

 

CommUNITY Barnet Members

 

We currently have a membership of approx 260 voluntary and community groups and work with/reach out to a total of approx 1000 organisations, representing all aspects of voluntary and community activity, from social care to culture, encompassing local branches of large national charities as well as grassroots self-help groups, faith groups, community sports and arts groups.
You can find out more on our membership page and our IN-B@RNET directory.

 

Our Funding and Accreditation

 

CommUNITY Barnet is a registered charity and company limited by guarantee. Our funding comes from the local authority, local health and police authority, national public funders such as the Big Lottery and charitable trusts. We are an Investor in People, hold PQASSO Level 2 accreditation and the quality kitemark of NAVCA, our national umbrella body; our Volunteer Centre is Volunteering England accredited.

We have achieved Investors in People accreditation, Volunteering England's Volunteer Centre accreditation, as well as the Quality Award of the National Association for Voluntary and Community Action, our umbrella organisation. 

 

The Board

 

The organisation is lead strategically by a Board of Trustees. The Board's members are elected at CommUNITY Barnet Annual's General Meetings from its membership of voluntary and community groups. The Board also has co-opted members.

 

Please do take a look around the website to find out more about CommUNITY Barnet.