Networks and Groups

Work with your peers on key areas ...

KVA offers Kingston's voluntary and community groups, a wide range of free networks and events, at which they can hear relevant information, network with peers and stakeholders, and feed into local policy.

If you would like to sign up to any of these networks, please click here.

 

Children and Young People’s Network

The Children and Young People’s Network meets quarterly.  It is open to organisations that both specifically work with, or have contact with, Children and Young People as part of their services.

Led by KVA’s Children and Young People lead, the Network looks at areas, such as local statutory plans for children and young people, child safeguarding and best practice sharing.

The Network has Guest Speakers at each meeting.  This is to educate and inform attendees of any updated or new information around a wide range of topics such as:

  • Headlines on local safeguarding trends
  • Initiatives such as the Local Armed Forces Covenant
  • Local commissioning opportunities

We also disseminate to Network members, details of all appropriate training available through KVA, the Kingston and Richmond LSCB, or Achieving for Children.

The network provides an opportunity to share experiences and best practice with other organisations.

The CYP network enables me to keep up to date, not only with local and national issues that may have an impact on our work in Kingston and Richmond, but also provides excellent networking and partnership working opportunities with other local voluntary sector groups.

Being a small charity and working part time, the CYP network is invaluable to me personally and as a way to cascade information to colleagues.

Lesley Mungur - Project Coordinator - Saying Goodbye

 


  

Health and Wellbeing Network

The Health and Wellbeing Network is open to anyone who delivers services within the Kingston borough and would like to be kept informed and have their say on relevant matters connected with health and social care.

Currently meetings are held up to four times a year and feature speakers from a range of groups. This is a key space for charities to hear about developments in local work and plans in this area from partners, including the voluntary and community sector and Public Health and local pharmacists.

Each meeting gives dedicated time for networking, an opportunity for groups to share information about current programmes, activities, and developments in their own organisation.

"I wanted to let you know that I think the Health and Wellbeing Network is one of the best things that I attend locally.  I find it informative and educational as well as supportive and useful for networking. It gives me a chance to work with different people and groups from those usually in my network.  I also think that the atmosphere of sharing and cooperation and keenness to learn from each other is a brilliant example of how the VCS should work. This is due, in my view, to your leadership and the tone you set at the meetings.  Thank you for helping to make my job easier and more enjoyable."

Pippa Mackie - Chief Executive - Citizens Advice Kingston

 


Chief Executive Officers' Network

The CEO Network is open to CEOs of VCS organisations delivering or based in the Borough of Kingston upon Thames. This is a space for CEO's to support each other with shared learning and best practice, and also to consider any joint sector projects and action. 

 


Good Food Group

The Good Food Group was created following the publication of Food for Thought - Food insecurity in 21st century Kingston produced by Kingston Voluntary Action and Public Health in October 2018. The purpose of the group is to address relevant recommendations in Food Poverty Action Plan in a collaborative way.


 

Trustees' Network 

The Trustees'  Network is open to Trustees of Kingston's VCS. The group meets regularly to learn key information relevant to Trustees and for peer-to-peer support.

We know that a strong Trustee Board can make all the difference in the resiliance and strategic travel of a group.

The Trustees' Network is a space for Trustees to support each other to develop the skills and knowledge needed to help their charity or community group thrive. Past meetings have covered areas such as:

  • Workplace health 
  • New Charity Governance Code
  • GDPR
  • Risk analysis

"I am so glad I joined the KVA Trustees' Network at the beginning of this year. I have found it so useful to meet with trustees of other local charities and share our knowledge and experiences, and I feel free to ask questions.  KVA provides invaluable information at the sessions, with handouts or links to information on line. I would encourage anyone who is a local trustee, whether relatively new to the position or long-standing, to come along."

Hilary Orton - Trustee - Kingston Churches Action on Homelessness

 

If you would like to sign up to any of these networks, please click here.