What We Do
The role of the Consortium can be simply explained as four, easy to remember constructs – Share, Shout, Support and Store/save. These represent the elements the Consortium believes to be essential in building the capacity and infrastructure of the LGBT third sector; and fulfil the requirements of a good practice specialist 2nd/3rd tier infrastructure body.
These constructs were developed as a precursor to the strategic plan, and help clarify and demonstrate the philosophy behind some of the aims contained therein.
Shout metaphorically refers to the provision of a voice for the LGBT Sector. What we mean by this is utilising the membership knowledge and experience to comment on new policy, legislation, regional development or equalities provision either at the regional and/or national level (with the potential of local representation if capacity allows).
There are two components to the role of "voice" for the sector.
The first is the co-ordination and facilitation of consultation on key issues through the membership. This could be sector wide (i.e. the impact on LGBT communities) or specific (i.e. targeted to those LGBT members who deal with a particular group and/or issue e.g. youth as a group or health as an issue). Consultation areas will be identified either by the Consortium; or through another agency or organisation that brings the issue to the attention of the Consortium.
The second element will be around self identified issues that affect the LGBT third sector requiring feedback to Policy makers and/or funders. This is a pro-active information gathering process about issues that affect LGBT organisations/groups for submission to key stakeholders. Identification of issues may be generated internally by the Consortium or through identification by member organisations.
Support has to be the most critical factor for the Consortium's role of capacity building. Support services must be relevant, effective and (more importantly) deliverable under the existing capacity of the Consortium itself.
Support services will grow according to the planned increase in resources, funding, and skills/knowledge of the Consortium staff (and also potentially through its membership and/or partnership links).
Mapping of identified (organisational) need will be required to assess relevancy. This is undertaken through annual membership renewal data.
Support is broken down into two components - activities and issues. This way we can map delivery onto the key areas of capacity building support, in relation to the feasible capacity of the Consortium itself. For example, training (activity) might need to be considered in relation regionalisation (issue) or specific areas such as funding (issue). Advice (activity) might focus on specifics such as Local Area Agreements (issue).
The concept of "share" relates to what could be described as Networking and Exchange of 'ideas, experience, tools, or best practice. These could be considered as either real physical activity such as conferences, seminars or meetings; but also virtual, through the use of new technologies and web-based systems.
The Consortium needs to be a broker or conduit for all LGBT organisations, groups and projects in the UK; and help these organisations work together in partnership. Without such liaison and collaboration, the LGBT sector can loose the expertise and knowledge built up during project delivery, particular social changes etc. Mechanisms for passing on this knowledge and experience can only create a broader awareness of the diverse needs of the LGBT community; and help ensure that at every portal of access, organisations have a clear referral path for any particular need a client or individual may have.
Key to the future success of the LGBT third sector will be the collection and collation of relevant documented research, needs assessments, and project evaluation reports. Without this evidence base, many organisations and groups will find it hard to demonstrate the need for the work they wish to undertake.
Currently there is no central database or resource library (of sorts) that compiles relevant research on LGBT issues; more importantly, nor is there a central store of 'grey' or informal materials documenting local needs analysis, project evaluation or other related data.
The Consortium's role is to collect, collate and store any such information and/or research that are passed on - cataloguing and sorting the materials into a useful database/resource for members use.