Event to Encourage More Joined Up Working

Held at the Christchurch Centre in Newport between 12pm and 4pm on Tuesday October 13th, the Gwent-wide Third Sector Provider Fair has been organised by the Gwent Association of Voluntary Organisations and the Torfaen Voluntary Alliance with support from the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) for Gwent, Ian Johnston. The Commissioner is working with the voluntary and community sector to impact on preventing crime and tackling anti-social behaviour ASB.

Earlier this year, Gwent PCC Ian Johnston provided funding for GAVO and TVA to employ a Third Sector Liaison Officer who is now responsible for establishing strong links between the voluntary and community sector and his office. The Liaison Officer is responsible for developing opportunities and services that meet the emerging needs of communities which are linked to Mr Johnston's priorities in his police and crime plan which include:

• To deliver the best quality of service available;
• To prevent and reduce crime;
• To take more effective action to tackle anti-social behaviour;
• To protect people from serious harm;

To make the best use of resources and provide value for money.

The Third Sector Liaison Officer seeks to identify how other voluntary and community sector organisations can add value to projects which the Commissioner funds and supports in the community.

The Christchurch Centre event will provide a golden opportunity for voluntary and community organisations throughout Gwent to meet with service providers and funders including representatives from all of the five local authorities, the Gwent Strategic Commissioning Board, Gwent Police, South Wales Fire and Rescue Service, the Aneurin Bevan Health Board and Safer Gwent.

Over 200 voluntary and community sector organisations and over 70 service providers have been invited to the event which will feature presentations from Eleanor Marks, the Deputy Director of Communities Division at the Welsh Government and the Wales Co-operative Centre. Voluntary and community sector Business Consultants will also be on hand to help any organisation with business related issues.

Urging those who haven't signed up already to do so, the Police and Crime Commissioner for Gwent, Ian Johnston, said: "Some problems are best solved by the whole community working together and this approach is strongly embedded in the way we work here in Gwent. This event is a prime opportunity for voluntary and community sector organisations to come together to network, showcase what they can offer and develop strong relationships with service providers and commissioners. It's also a chance for all those attending to share best practice and see how they can work together on delivering projects which could potentially support some of the priorities in my police and crime plan."

To confirm your attendance or if you have any immediate queries please contact Janine Reed on 01633 241550 or email janine.reed@gavowales.org.uk by Thursday 24th September 2015.