Senior leaders from charities and community groups, coming together to share insights and inform and enhance how we best deliver our mission to serve and champion Dorset’s voluntary and community sector.

CAN are all about networking, connecting and collaborating within the sector and with our colleagues in the public and private sectors. We’re commissioned by both Councils, NHS Dorset, Public Health Dorset to champion and represent the sector and engage with communities across Dorset, which we do through a variety of mechanisms. We also lead on a National Lottery funded, collaborative project, to build capacity in ethnically diverse groups. 

Our Board of Trustees bring their expertise and knowledge of the sector and beyond, to provide leadership, governance, set our strategic direction and provide scrutiny, accountability and support to the staff team led by our Chief Executive.

The Advisory Council will have a vital role in strengthening our strategic understanding of issues facing charities and community groups – that will inform our work and plans.  We wish to work with the VCS Assembly and, as such, will look forward to sharing insights with them once they are ready. 

The Advisory Council won’t have governance responsibilities at CAN but will:

• represent and share their charity or community group’s mission
• advise on the development of CAN’s strategy
• offer insights and identify new opportunities and trends
• create strong connections within the voluntary and community sector
• create deeper links into the community
• ensure our team is kept informed of any new major developments
• increase networking and collaboration
• act as advocates for our work

The proposal is that the Advisory Council will develop their Terms of Reference together and meet virtually on a quarterly basis. There will be an annual lunch where the Advisory Council will come together in person.

There will be a standing agenda item at the CAN Board meeting to listen to insights/feedback from the Advisory Council.

This is voluntary role and no renumeration is possible at this time, but out-of-pocket expenses will be paid.

We want to ensure we develop a good diversity of perspectives so are keen to hear from groups serving:

• Disabled people
• Babies, children, young people and families
• Ethnically diverse communities
• LGBGT+
• Religious groups
• Women
• Rural groups
• Food poverty/education
• Climate action
• People experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness
• Carers
• Older people
• Mental health and wellbeing
• Geographically based community groups

This is not an exhaustive list but a framework we will be using to recruit around 15 – 20 people.

If you wish to put your name forward to join the Advisory Council, please complete this short form and we’ll be in touch.

We aim to hold the first meeting virtually, later in 2024