Minister for the Third Sector Angela Smith MP joined Chuka in a recent visit to Lambeth Voluntary Action Council (LVAC).

The Minister’s visit to Streatham recognised the important work being done by the voluntary and community sector in the local area, with Angela Smith making a speech highlighting the role of LVAC and organisations like it.

This was followed by a roundtable discussion chaired by Chuka with representatives from the local community organisatons which make up LVAC, including Volunteer Centre Lambeth, Park Hill Housing Co-Operatives and Emmanuel Youth & Community Centre.

The visit was arranged by Chuka, who recently met with the director of LVAC Conrad Hollingsworth and thought it would be useful for both the Minister and LVAC representatives to meet and discuss the issues facing the sector.

As well as showcasing Lambeth’s thriving third sector, the event provided an opportunity for representatives of local groups to ask the Minister questions and provide a view from the front line to help inform government plans for helping community groups.

LVAC is a membership organisation which represents, supports and develops Lambeth’s voluntary and community sector and promotes cooperation with public bodies.

The Streatham Constituency has one of the largest voluntary and community sectors in the UK, and LVAC plays an important role in coordinating different bodies to create a more powerful voice for its members.

The government has recently announced plans to set up a new national bank to fund community groups. Cabinet Office Minister Liam Byrne, who announced the new policy in a lecture at think tank Progress, argued that local civil society needs to be supported centrally by the state.

Commenting on Angela Smith’s visit to Streatham, Chuka said:

“The Minister’s visit is testament to our area’s thriving community and voluntary sector, and provided a fantastic opportunity for representatives from local organisations to feed their ideas and concerns directly to the top.”

“Since 1997, the government has made unprecedented investment in community and voluntary groups, and in doing so has strengthened local society.

“I welcome the proposal to set up a new bank for funding community and voluntary groups, which would give organisations like LVAC and its members even more freedom to do what they do best.”