Four Functions of Infrastructure Infographic PDF

This infographic (PDF version) can be used to demonstrate the four functions of infrastructure, what NAVCA members do.

leadership, advocacy, partnerships, collaboration, capacity building, volunteering

Four Functions of Infrastructure Infographic PNG

This infographic (PNG version) can be used to demonstrate the four functions of infrastructure, what NAVCA members do.

leadership, advocacy, partnerships, collaboration, capacity building, volunteering

Leadership and Advocacy Guide

This document is the first of a four-part series on the Four Functions of Infrastructure, a concept co-produced by NAVCA and our members to help communicate and develop what local infrastructure organisations do. This guide focuses on Leadership and Advocacy.

four functions of infrastructure, volunteering, strategy, policy, membership

CABAD Strategic Plan 2018-2022

This one-page plan from Community Action Bradford and District sets out the headline vision and objectives for the organisation in 2018 to 2022.

Planning, strategy, strategic aims

BHCW Strategic Plan 2022

This short strategic plan from Brighton and Hove Community Works sets out the headline strategic aims and objectives of the organisation in 2022

Planning, strategy, strategic aims

What it looks like when you don’t have an infrastructure organisation

This short presentation by Macc (Manchester) provides details of the impact of the loss of local infrastructure on areas including funding, volunteering and strategic relationships.

Value of infrastructure, impact, funding

Partnerships and Collaboration Guide

This document is part of our Four Functions of Infrastructure series, exploring Partnerships and Collaboration further. This short guide uses research from Connecting Locally and NAVCA member case studies to highlight key activities and outcomes around effective partnership working.

four functions of infrastructure, partnerships, collaboration, collaborative

Four Functions of Infrastructure: A Guide for NAVCA members

The work of local infrastructure organisations can be described as having four functions: leadership and advocacy; partnerships and collaboration; capacity building; and volunteering. This concept was co-produced by NAVCA and members to provide a clear definition of what is at the core of effective high quality local VCSE infrastructure.

strategy

Capacity Building Guide

This is the third part of a series on the Four Functions of Infrastructure. This document delves into 'capacity building', using real-life member examples and research to highlight effective capacity building.

community development

HVOSS Strategy 2022 - 27

LIO Strategy - Plan on a page summary by NAVCA member hvoss (Herefordshire Voluntary Organisations Support Service).

Strategic Plan

The power of local infrastructure: working in partnership for thriving communities

This is our new document, published ahead of the 2024 general election, which sets out how an incoming government can work with local infrastructure organisations to achieve positive outcomes. This is a document by NAVCA that draws on member views gathered at the Annual Conference workshop. We encourage members to use this document locally to engage with prospective parliamentary candidates and their MP once elected.

general election, election, vote, campaigns, campaigning, communications

Volunteering Guide

This document is the fourth in a series of guides explaining more about the Four Functions of Infrastructure. This guide focuses on volunteering. It uses examples from Connecting Locally (research on local infrastructure by Sheffield Hallam University), and real life member case studies. It is designed to help you develop your work.

Template letter to newly elected MPs

This is a template letter for NAVCA members to use to introduce themselves to their newly elected MP. Please edit the text as needed.

election, general election, politics, labour, influencing, government

Theory of Change for Local Infrastructure v.Nov 2023 (PDF)

A theory of change for local infrastructure, demonstrating outcomes of the four functions of infrastructure, and showing impact for communities, VCSE sector, local authorities and other statutory partners. PDF version.

Strategy

Theory of Change for Local Infrastructure v.Nov 2023 (PPT)

A theory of change for local infrastructure, demonstrating outcomes of the four functions of infrastructure, and showing impact for communities, VCSE sector, local authorities and other statutory partners. PowerPoint version.

theory of change, impacts, outcomes

UCAN Ticket Home Hospital Discharge Initiative

This report has been co-produced by staff from Uttlesford Community Action Network (UCAN) and social scientists at Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) as part of a consultancy evaluation of a hospital discharge service provided by UCAN. It presents a summary analysis of the academic and policy literature relating to the challenges involved in the safe and timely discharge of patients from hospital, as well as an evaluation of the achievements and challenges entailed by UCAN in supporting safe and timely discharge of patients from Princess Alexandra Hospital (PAH), Harlow, to their homes across West Essex, from December 2022 to November 2023. Detailed information is provided on actions undertaken to support patients who were discharged by UCAN’s Ticket Home initiative.

Hospital Discharge, Resilient Discharge, Flow, Social Blockers

VCSE Liaison Partnership November 2024

VCSE Liaison Partnership group: A Social Impact Ecosystem? This presentation about the The West of England Civil Society Partnership brings together a regional partnership of LIOs.

Strategy 2024-25: South Derbyshire CVS

This is a one-page strategy document for NAVCA member South Derbyshire CVS for improved health and wellbeing in communities.

#BeMorePlymouth - A Shared Narrative

This is an initiative by NAVCA member Plymouth Octopus. Storymaking is participatory and this narrative is an invitation to join a conversation. Working with our Learning Partners, the POP team has invested time reflecting on questions we care deeply about.

Strategic Plan - Support Staffordshire

This strategic plan (10 years) from NAVCA member Support Staffordshire covers the four functions of infrastructure, vision, mission, values, and finance.

Business Plan - Four Functions of Infrastructure

This 2025-29 business plan from NAVCA member Support Staffordshire details activities within each of the four functions of infrastructure.

Partnership and mergers in LIOs - research by NAVCA

The English Devolution White Paper and the related changes to local authorities and move to strategic authorities will impact on many, perhaps all, NAVCA members. LIOs will need to navigate a changing landscape in which decision making powers will be distributed in new ways and services are delivered on new footprints. This paper explores how NAVCA some members have already developed partnerships and collaborations to increase their impact and respond to a changing external environment.