National Support Services and Priorities Programme

We have invested £16.8m of funding over three years in sector support services at a national level 

Nine workstreams

There are nine main workstreams focusing on key themes for the sector along with a few smaller national grants.

• Performance management
• Income generation
• Equalities and diversity
• Modernising volunteering
• Collaboration and partnership
• Responding to social change
• Marketing and communications
• Campaigning and advocacy
• Leadership and governance

National Priority Programmes

• Information, Communications and Technology (ICT)
• HR & Employment practice
• SKiLD programme, Skills and Knowledge for Local Development

To find out more about the work of nine workstreams please visit the Improving Support website.

Programme outcomes and activities

The main outcome against which we measure the success of the national programme is that sector support services are more skilled and effective in delivering support relevant to the current and future needs of, and demands on, diverse frontline third sector organisations.

This is likely to be achieved through a combination of activities, including:

• resources aimed both towards support providers and frontline organisations that meet evidenced gaps in information and advice
• development programmes for support providers, improving the skills and responsiveness of those advising and supporting frontline organisations
• raising the profile of obstacles or changes to the policy environment that could assist frontline organisations.

How does it work?

Each national workstream is being delivered by a partnership that combines the expertise and knowledge of a range of support agencies, more details on the workstream partnerships can be found on the Improving Support website.