Voluntary Sector Support Team
Strategic Finance
Sandwell Council House
P.O. Box 2374
Oldbury
West Midlands
B69 3BS

Tel: 0121 569 3164 / 3166
Email: vsst@sandwell.gov.uk

The Voluntary Sector Support Team (VSST) is located with Strategic Finance, which is part of the Policy and Corporate Governance Thematic Service Area. The Team is located at the Sandwell Council House, Oldbury. The team’s primary function is to formulate and implement the Council’s strategies/policies in relation to the voluntary and community sector and to monitor and evaluate the provision and quality of service provided by voluntary organisations in receipt of Council funding.

The Voluntary Sector Support Team consists of 9 members of staff. The Team’s role will include the delivery of the following areas:

• Annually reviewing monitoring and evaluating the Council’s investment for the voluntary sector in Sandwell.
• Supporting individual thematic service areas by administrating Main Programme grants for the individual funded voluntary organisations.
• Monitoring and evaluating individual voluntary organisations in receipt of funding from SMBC Thematic Service Areas.
• Offering relevant support in the establishment of VSST database in relation to the overall Council investment for the Voluntary Sector in Sandwell.
• Creating meaningful partnerships with the voluntary sector in order to facilitate the delivery of relevant good quality services to the people of Sandwell. The Sandwell Compact sets out the framework for partnership working with the voluntary sector.
• Creating and maintaining effective mechanisms which will continue to develop effective working relationships between the Council and the Voluntary Sector in Sandwell.
• Maintaining close links with Thematic Service Areas in order to ensure that funding approved for voluntary and community groups continues to meet Council priorities.
• Contributing to the formulations and implementation of Strategic policies impacting on the Voluntary and Community Sector in Sandwell.
• Developing, implementing and reviewing Council policies and practices in relation to the voluntary sector.
• Supporting Strategic voluntary umbrella organisations operate effectively (e.g. SCVO, Race Equality Sandwell, Sandwell Volunteer Bureau).