Networks and Forums
Connections crossing sectors
“Great opportunity to get introduced to VAST and the resources available.
Great to meet other people with similar vision.”
We have a number of networks and forums that take place throughout the year. Some are more strategic in nature, others are simply a place for like-minded staff and volunteers to come together and share information, skills, and know-how. if you’re interested in any of our forums or you’d like to know more, please get in touch.
If there’s a network or forum not listed but you think the sector needs, please contact our Support team.
Our networks and forums
To see what networks and forums are coming up soon, please check our training and events calendar.
Voluntary Sector Chief Officers Group
The Voluntary Sector Chief Officers Group (VSCOG) is a network for VCSE sector leaders in Stoke-on-Trent. Our meetings unapologetically have no formal agenda to provide a relaxed atmosphere, and a fantastic opportunity to network, build relationships, and share challenges and successes with our peers.
SEND Forum
The SEND Forum provides a space for members of Stoke Parent Carers and organisations providing support to children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) in Stoke-on-Trent to share ideas, discuss challenges, identify areas we can collaborate and ultimately champion the best possible support for children and young people in our city!
Representing local parent carers, we work in partnership with professionals to ensure services are relevant and right for the children and families they serve.
Connections for Connectors
Connections for Connectors is a networking opportunity for social prescribers, link workers, or community connectors working in Stoke-on-Trent that are looking for an opportunity to network, build connections, and learn more about the local VCSE sector.
These sessions are a supportive forum for anyone working in a social prescribing, care navigating, or community connecting type role. If your work depends on connecting with the VCSE sector in order to support better health and wellbeing outcomes for people in our city, then this is the group for you!
Funding Network
The Funding Network is an opportunity for people working in the third sector to come together to talk about everything to do with funding – from funding opportunities, fundraising, bid writing, evaluating and monitoring your funded projects, as well as connecting with local and national funding bodies.
The network is open to anyone involved whether you are a Charity, a CIC, Resident or Faith Group, it is free and it’s a great way of connecting with other groups and sharing experiences.
North Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Healthy Communities Forum
This is the forum for North Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent hosted by the VCSE Healthy Communities Alliance. The Healthy Communities Alliance is a collaborative group that enables local VCSE sector organisations to form a robust and meaningful working relationship with Health and Care System partners.
Stoke-on-Trent Food Partnership Network
Stoke-on-Trent Food Partnership is a network of like-minded organisations who want to ensure that Stoke-on-Trent has an equitable, resilient, and environmentally sustainable food network that supports the health, wellbeing, and prosperity of our communities.
From dedicated foodbanks to community allotments, this network is for organisations in the city providing support around food availability, affordability, or food sustainability.
Staffordshire Green Network
The Staffordshire Green Network is a network for community and voluntary groups in Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire to support each other in moving towards sustainability. Whether you’re interested in what you can do for the environment, food security, energy, creating a healthy place to live, improving active travel opportunities and much more – the Green Network provides opportunities to collaborate with like-minded groups, increase knowledge and skills, and find ways to work together across different sectors.
Communications and Events Engagement Network
Planning your communications and events is never an easy task. Sometimes it’s hard to even know where to start, never mind how to improve. This can be even harder for small organisations where it’s often just one person running the comms and planning the events.
But that’s what this network is for. Any members of staff or volunteers in the voluntary sector that work on their organisation’s comms or events, this is the network for you!
Finance Forum
The Finance Forum is an opportunity for those in a finance role within the voluntary sector in Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire to share ideas and best practice, network, and provide mutual support.
You don’t have to be a ‘Finance Manager’ to join the forum. If your role includes responsibility for any finance functions within your organisation, then this is the network for you.
Stoke-on-Trent and North Staffordshire Community Share Network
VAST regularly hosts themed connect and share events for voluntary organisations and community groups in Stoke-on-Trent and North Staffordshire to come together and share know-how and resources (skills, experience and information), talk about successes and challenges, learn from each other, and nurture a culture of collaboration, not competition.
Volunteer Forum
The VAST Volunteer Forum is a peer support space to give volunteers in and around Stoke-on-Trent an opportunity to provide valuable insight, share ideas and improve volunteering in the local area. VAST is dedicated to supporting volunteering in our city and facilitates this forum to ensure that volunteering is safe and inclusive for all.
We aim to have diverse representation within the forum, including from different volunteer roles and organisations across Stoke-on-Trent and North Staffordshire.
Volunteer Managers Network
If you’re a volunteer manager or coordinator for a local voluntary sector organisation, this network will help you meet people in a similar role.
It doesn’t matter what kind of organisation you’re from, whether you’re with a charity, community group, or a statutory organisation.
