About the Forum

The Forum is at the heart of representation, influence and networking across the local voluntary and community sector.

The Forum commits to:

• Challenge and question on behalf of the wider voluntary and community sector
• Embrace and promote the importance of equality and celebrate diversity
• Share a commitment to making Reading a better place to live
• Encourage best practice, and ensure the accountability of the sector
• Enable partnership working and collaboration across sectors while retaining the VCS identity and without compromising on values.

The Forum aims to:

• Ensure cohesion and co-ordination within the voluntary and community sector
• Work to create a voluntary sector voice, that has the strength to influence.
• Ensure that the voluntary sector is effectively represented in local policy making.
• Promote the interests of the voluntary sector and promote social justice.
• Provide the opportunity to debate matters of concern
• Work to be inclusive.

The Forum committee members are:
Laura Johnson Collard
Peter Burt
Steve Masters
Rajinder Sohpal  (Chair)
Cecily Mwaniki
Chris Turner
David Bertram
Malcolm Stone

The Forum is supported by Anne Laing (RVA Partnership Development Manager) and Anna Fowler,The Forum Coordinator.