Hello everyone,
As we reach the final chapter of our Four Pillar Series, I want to reflect on a principle that quietly shapes everything we do — Representation.
Representation isn’t just about having a seat at the table. It’s about ensuring that the voices of Dorset’s voluntary and community sector (VCSE) are heard, respected, and acted upon in the spaces where decisions are made. It’s about showing up — consistently, credibly, and collectively — so that our sector’s lived experience informs the systems that serve our communities.
🎙️ Why Representation Matters
In a landscape as complex as health and social care, representation is our anchor. It ensures that the VCSE sector isn’t just consulted — but co-creating. Whether it’s through the Integrated Care System (ICS), local authority forums, or strategic partnerships, our role is to bring the community lens into focus.
Representation means:
- Speaking truth to power with humility and evidence
- Translating grassroots insight into system-level strategy
- Advocating for inclusion, equity, and prevention — not just reaction!
🧩 How We Represent You
At Dorset VCSA, representation is woven into our DNA. We attend statutory meetings, contribute to working groups, and build bridges between sectors. But more importantly, we listen — through surveys, conversations, and events — so that our representation is rooted in your reality. We work closely with Dorset’s incredible VCS Infrastructure organisations, to help us understand the issues that are being raised and ensure that the VCS voice we raise is rooted in your reality.
Recent examples include:
- Feeding VCSE insights into ICS governance and commissioning discussions
- Amplifying sector concerns around social isolation, housing, and access to care
- Ensuring that smaller organisations and underrepresented voices are not lost in the noise
- Sharing insights from Dorset’s VCS across the whole system at regional level.
- Attending ICB meetings and Health & Wellbeing meetings – the minutes from these meetings are shared as a Snapshot on our website.
🔄 Representation Is a Two-Way Street
True representation isn’t passive. It’s participatory. That’s why we’re inviting you to:
- Share your feedback on system updates and policy changes
- Join our webinars and stakeholder events
- Nominate issues or themes you want us to raise on your behalf
Because when we represent together, we reshape the system.
🌟 Your opportunity to step Into Representation: Join Our Board
If you believe in the power of collective voice and want to help shape the future of Dorset’s VCSE, we’d love to hear from you. We’re currently recruiting new Dorset VCSA Board Members — a unique opportunity to lead, influence, and represent the sector at the highest level.
If you would like to express an interest or you have questions, please don’t hesitate to get in contact.
Everyone within the VCS pan-Dorset is eligible to apply – we are especially keen to hear from smaller VCSE groups and those who support underrepresented people or seldom heard voices. Contact us, today to find out more – what have you got to lose?!?
🔗 Find out more and apply here
💬 Final Thoughts: From Pillars to Practice
Over this series, we’ve explored Communication, Engagement, Collaboration, and now Representation. These aren’t just abstract concepts — they’re the building blocks of a more connected, confident, and influential VCSE sector.
Thank you for following along. And apologies for the slight delay in this final post — it’s been a busy and exciting time with sector events and our board recruitment drive in full swing.
Let’s keep building — together.
📩 Get in touch: [email protected]
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