Influence policy at local, regional and national level

We work closely with a number of voluntary sector organisations and government departments and agencies.  These include South West Forum, Black South West Network and other representative bodies; and, in the public sector, Defra, the Home Office (through the Government Office of the South West), and the South West Regional Development Agency. For list of all our partners, please go to Working in Partnership.

For more information about SWAN's work download: SWAN Leaflet and SWAN Business - A Plan for 2007-10

Our objectives in this work are:

  • To promote the rural interest at all levels
  • To secure programme funding to support the voluntary and community sector, and the work at the local level of rural community councils
  • To contribute to the development of policy, and evaluate the delivery of existing polices
  • To help rural proof new policies and measures
  • To disseminate information on rural and community issues

Contribute to the voluntary and community sector at regional level

We work with our voluntary and community sector partners at regional level.  These include the South West Forum, the Black South West Network, Volunteering England, the Community Foundation Network, representatives of Councils of Voluntary England, the Community Foundation Network, representatives of Councils of Voluntary Service, and many others.

Our objectives in this work are:

  • To strengthen the influencing role of the voluntary and community sector
  • To secure long term stability for the infrastructure of the sector
  • To promote greater appreciation of the issues of diversity and equality across the south west
  • To help improve the quality of service delivery in the sector
  • To seek further areas for cooperation, support and integration within the sector
  • To encourage the free flow of information and ideas across the sector and between national, regional and local

Provide support services to rural community councils

We work with all seven rural community councils in the south west.

Our objectives are:

  • To act as the regional champion for rural community councils and the networks of rural, community and voluntary groups they represent
  • To extend and strengthen the networks of RCC specialist staff
  • To support the delivery at the local level of regional programmes
  • To ensure the best flow of information between regional and local
  • To strengthen the capacity of rural community councils to deliver local services