Leading and Enabling - the future of third sector support

Transform Leeds is an opportunity for the third sector to find a new way of organising itself to meet some of the tough social and economic challenges that lie ahead.

We set ourselves a challenge; to agree on a future model for support and leadership of the third sector in Leeds. We said that we would ask the hard questions and be long term and ambitious in our thinking. We committed to being truly transformational.  

The Transform Leeds Commission was established as a vehicle for discussion, debate and the development of creative solutions. Over the last five months we have been developing proposals around three main themes:

Civic Enterprise – exploring leadership models and partnership working

Fit for the Future – exploring the development of sustainable and effective model

Making Leeds Great – exploring how to support the third sector to achieve its full potential  

From these discussions the Commission has developed some early recommendations, which present a high level proposal on the future shape of third sector infrastructure in Leeds. 

The recommendations aim to develop a solution which addresses some major issues which have been raised in relation to third sector support:

• The sector needs more coherent and unified leadership
• The sector needs a strong and independent voice
• We should continue to reflect the diversity of the sector
• There is a need to retain specialisms and expertise
• Service delivery and leadership are separate functions
• A market exists for the delivery of support services, it is desirable to exert some light touch management on this market
• Investment in support and development services needs to be reflexive and responsive
• The third sector needs an ‘honest broker’ and a lead for major contracts
• Third sector support and development will need statutory investment as well as other forms of income generation

The early recommendations propose a structure and functions for third sector infrastructure which would lead to a new model focused on leading and enabling the sector. 

You can download a one page summary from this web link. (pdf 312kb)

Over the next six weeks, we will be asking:

• Is this vision for the sector one which will meet its future needs?
• How do we move towards achieving a shared vision for the sector?
• Will you sign up to this change?

Transform Leeds is holding an open event on 23rdApril to discuss these and other developments in the programme. We will also be meeting with third sector forums and networks and our statutory partners to discuss the implications of these changes. 

Follow this link for more information and to book a place

The Commission will meet again on 21^st May to discuss feedback on the early recommendations and develop its final report.

Contact Transform Leeds Programme Manager Erin Richardson on erin.richardson@val.org.uk with any comments or questions.