Vision, mission, strategic aims and values

Our vision
Our vision is to see a vibrant, viable and valued LGBT third sector.

Our mission
The Consortium will create an environment for the LGBT third sector to flourish and will champion, develop and support the UK’s diverse LGBT third sector so that all have the capacity, skills and resources to provide effective services to LGBT individuals.

The Consortium will achieve this through working with the Government and other bodies, providing a voice for the sector, maintaining membership networks, managing data and information, and providing support services.

Our values
The following values will underpin all our work:

Autonomy - The significance and value of self-organisation and autonomy for LGBT third sector organisations in meeting the needs of LGBT communities

Diversity - The diversity of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender organisations and communities is a key strength

Specialism - A specialist LGBT infrastructure plays an essential part in strengthening the LGBT third sector

Accountability - Our accountability to the sector will be demonstrated by gaining the views of the sector, acting upon those views and feeding back the results

Partnership - A key part of our role is to work with mainstream organisations to empower them to better meet the needs of LGBT third sector organisations

Excellence - We will strive to be an excellent and effective organisation in order to be fit for purpose

The Consortium has identified 6 key strategic aims for future activities from 2008-2011. These relate to the function and role of the Consortium as a 3rd/2nd tier infrastructure body; and correlate with all existing funding obligations.

These aims help to determine the focus and desired outcomes/impact of all project activities, and the emphasis of any future core activities:

Strategic aims:

1. To support and develop the capacity of the LGBT sector
   
2. To develop networks and partnerships of LGBT third sector organisations, staff, Boards and volunteers
   
3. To work with generic infrastructure organisations and funders to raise awareness of the specific issues affecting LGBT organisations
   
4. To act as a voice for the LGBT third sector to influence how central, regional and local statutory agencies/public bodies meet the needs of the LGBT third sector
   
5. To undertake research on the support needs of the LGTB third sector and to advocate good practice in working with the sector
   
6. To be an excellent and effective organisation