Community First East Hampshire has gained the rigorous new NAVCA Quality Award.

The award is open to local infrastructure organisations like Community First which work behind the scenes to ensure that local voluntary organisations and community groups get the support they need.

The award is based on a set of Performance Standards. Achievement of the NAVCA Quality Award gives an authoritative endorsement for the effectiveness of local infrastructure organisations. To gain this award Community First had to demonstrate that its support makes a real difference to voluntary and community organisations in their area. The rigorous assessment process involves an external audit and interviews with service users and funders.

Kevin Curley, Chief Executive of NAVCA, says “We are delighted to announce that Community First has obtained the new NAVCA Quality Award. Community First has demonstrated that it delivers high quality services to the voluntary and community sector in East Hampshire by working towards and gaining the award Community First has underlined their commitment to making a difference for local people.”

Terry Bishop, Chief Executive of Community First says ‘This is an excellent achievement and we are justly proud to have been awarded this national standard.  We are also the smallest local infrastructure organisation in Hampshire so far to have been successful.  This underpins the excellent reputation the organisation has for delivering services across the local community’.

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Notes:

1.    NAVCA is the national voice of local voluntary and community sector infrastructure in England. Our 360 members (including  Community First’s work with over 140,000 local community groups and voluntary organisations, helping them to provide services, regenerate neighbourhoods, increase volunteering and tackle discrimination in partnership with local public bodies.

2.    Our purpose is to promote local voluntary and community action nationally. We do this by providing our members with information, advice, networking and learning opportunities, support and development services. In turn, we draw on our members’ experience to influence government and contribute to national policy. We also work closely with other national bodies to ensure a collaborative approach to policy development.

3.    A local infrastructure organisation (LIO) is a voluntary organisation that is set up, owned and run by local groups to support, promote and develop local voluntary and community action. LIOs support their members by providing them with a range of services and by acting as a voice for the local voluntary and community sector.

4.    Further information on the NAVCA Quality Award and the performance standards are available at www.navca.org.uk/services/quality.

5.    Community First East Hampshire is an organisation providing local voluntary and community groups with a range of support services including volunteering, training, good practice and practical advice.  For further information contact Terry Bishop, Chief Executive – 01730 710017

6.    For further information contact:

Dianne Leyland, Director of Development, NAVCA,

Arundel Court, 177 Arundel Street, Sheffield S1 2NU

Tel  0114 278 6636 Ext 110  Fax  0114 278 7004