Haringey Association of Voluntary and Community Organisations (HAVCO) is the umbrella organisation for the community and voluntary sector in Haringey. As the biggest organisation for non-profits in the borough, HAVCO is a strategic leader, using their influence to gain greater recognition for the sector and bridging that impact with local government policy.
HAVCO is working to help everyone in the community, to ensure all voices are heard. This is made possible through the establishment of effective networking and with collaboration within the voluntary and community organisations and external partners. The primary purpose of HAVCO is to improve the quality, standards and capacity of the infrastructure support to members. For example, improving volunteering policy and practice in the area.
HAVCO’s aim is that Haringey is recognised as a strong community of people with gifts and talents that can be used to deliver the best outcomes locally. HAVCO inspires, supports and challenges the local voluntary and community sector to realise this vision, at all times being inclusive, responsive and trustworthy.
HAVCO is closely linked with Haringey’s Volunteer Centre that aims to promote and develop volunteering in the area. The Centre matches individuals to volunteering opportunities in the community, voluntary, charity and not-for-profit sectors. The strategic development of volunteering has led to encouraging corporate social responsibility. The concept of volunteering is also marketed to the not-for-profit sector and potential volunteers.
The centre is contacted by thousands of people each year who want to volunteer in Haringey. As a member of Haringey’s Volunteer Centre an organisation’s opportunities can be seen by all these potential volunteers. Once volunteers are recruited at Haringey’s Volunteer Centre HAVCO helps ensure that they, and the volunteer managers, are provided with support and relevant training so the quality of volunteering in the borough is maintained.
Membership is free. HAVCO welcomes members from all non-profit organisations including community groups, social enterprises, statutory organisations, plus local and national charities. Membership is also open to those who offer unique volunteering opportunities. Members should be based in Haringey and have volunteering opportunities in the borough.
As the number of volunteers grows locally, HAVCO collect case studies and stories around the volunteering experience to firm up policy responses and for campaigning. This research is also a way of capturing the individuals nominated for the borough’s biennial awards ceremony celebrating volunteers.HAVCO have been supporting voluntary and community organisations to become resilient groups that are sustainable. The area supports projects to implement best practice which retains volunteer, extending their experience and opening up opportunities for future learning. HAVCO have also witnessed volunteer projects which through learning about planning, organisation and sustainability have opened doors to future opportunities for volunteers that once may have been closed.
HAVCO will ensure groups have all the help and support necessary to complete their Volunteering Health Check around best practice. All members are also supported to sign the Haringey Volunteer Management Charter to indicate their commitment to using good practice. This charter has proven to be very helpful to funders, volunteers and supporters. Haringey’s Volunteer Co-ordinators’ Forum is a chance to meet with others who work with volunteers in the borough, enabling networking, sharing techniques and creating new links.
Volunteers are the lifeblood of most community groups, sharing their talents and gifts for the benefit of others. A biennial award ceremony supported by local businesses rewards this by awarding gifts selected from valentinesgiftideas.co.uk, in a night of celebration. Outstanding Volunteering Contribution 2017 was won by the Early Childhood Scheme which for two decades has provided an exceptional, long-term contribution to the community that has impacted on the lives of thousands of local people. The scheme is modelling excellence in partnership work, equalities, and community-led development.
Other ward winners were Choir 2000 for Outstanding Volunteering Contribution: Adults using creativity to bring a broad range of benefits to older people. The award for Excellence in Furthering Equality and Diversity was won by Haringey Interpreting Services for their vital support for those for whom English is not their first language. Greatest Contribution to the Community by a Business was awarded to Grant Seymour from Brandreth Seymour solicitors for their consistent support benefiting countless groups and organisations.
As well as eligibility to vote at our AGM, Full HAVCO Membership will also provide you with greater opportunities to engage with HAVCO, including access to networking opportunities and discounts on training courses and a range of other support products and services.
Associate Membership is offered to new organisations and those with limited resources who may not be in a position to pay the appropriate membership fee but would still like demonstrate their support for HAVCO. Individuals or organisations that do not qualify for Full Membership can join as a Supporter.
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