Lincolnshire Children & Young People’s Voluntary Sector Forum (CYPVSF)
The CYPVSF aims to be a positive voice for voluntary sector views across the county, and influence the development of services for children and young people. This well established working Forum is open to any voluntary or community group working in the sector. The Forum seeks to harness the existing skills, drive and resources within the children and young people’s sector by connecting people to improve partnership working and provide an excellence in frontline delivery services for children and young people.
For more information, please look at the web site www.cypvsf.org.uk or email cypvsf@childrenslinks.org.uk 

VCS Engage East Midlands
VCS Engage is a national programme funded by the DCSF, through Children England, working across the children, young people and family (CYPF) sectors.
The main aim of the group is to share information and to offer mutual support to local infrastructure so that the best possible outcomes can be delivered to CYPF.  The group works collaboratively with key regional stakeholders to influence policy and support good practice around members' involvement.
Quarterly meetings are well-attended by a wide range of organisations delivering services to children and young people across the age ranges (including play, pre-school and youth services).  Representatives from key stakeholders include Play England, Government Office and the Children’s Workforce Development Council (CWDC) also attend.  The meetings provide opportunities for wide-ranging discussions about the ‘state of the sector' and creative thinking about ways forward.  For more information, please look at www.vcsengage.org.uk/

Children’s Workforce Development Council (CWDC)
Workforce Strategy Partners Programme (WSPP) - Supporting the involvement of the Private and Third Sectors in local integrated children’s workforce strategies in Lincolnshire. 
 

The International Play Association for England, Wales and Northern Ireland (IPA - EWNI)

The IPAs purpose is to protect, preserve and promote the child’s right to play as a fundamental human right, consistent with Article 31 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child

"... every child has the right to rest and leisure, to engage in play and recreational activities appropriate to the age of the child and to participate freely in cultural life and the arts.

... member governments shall respect and promote the right of the child to participate fully in cultural and artistic life and shall encourage the provision of appropriate and equal opportunities for cultural, artistic, recreational and leisure activity."

For more information, please look at www.ipa-ewni.org.uk

The Lincolnshire Health and Wellbeing Fund

The Health and Wellbeing Fund was set up in 2008 as a joint strategic partnership between NHS Lincolnshire and Lincolnshire County Council.

The aims of the fund are to:

• Address the health and social inequalities that exist in some populations;
• Address low incomes by enhancing the employment prospects, education and skills of local people, particularly the young and those at a disadvantage, and promote equality of opportunity;
• Improve housing and housing conditions for local people through physical improvements, better maintenance, improved management and greater choice and diversity;
• Enhance the quality of life and capacity to contribute to local regeneration of local people, including their health and cultural and sports opportunities;
• Support people to improve their lifestyles in ways likely to be of benefit to themselves and other.

For more information on the fund click here.

Communities Together

Children's Links is part of Communities Together, which is a project funded by the Big Lottery Fund.  The aim of the project is to provide support and training to small groups, village halls and community buildings throughout Lincolnshire, and to help both new and existing community groups to develop.  These sessions are delivered in a variety of locations right across Lincolnshire.

We are one of five partners, whose organisations are able to provide a variety of specialist advice, training and support, they are:-Community Lincs, Age Concern, Children's Links, Lincolnshire Council for Voluntary Youth Services (LCVYS) and Groundwork Lincolnshire.

Children's Links are providing free training events relevant to working (paid or voluntary) with children and young people e.g. Creative Ideas, Fun with Books, Fun with Food, Grandparents Can Play Too, Traditional Play, Listening to and Consulting with Children, Health and Safety when Working with Children, Risk and Challenge, and many more.

For more information on upcoming courses please visit the Communities Together website click here and look under 'Training Courses'.