Medway Voluntary Action in action

Charities and community organisations do so much in our towns. But who helps these organisations get off the ground and run well? Enter MVA.

Steven met with Lisa Michalowicz, Infrastructure Officer, and Tricia Reilly, Infrastructure Manager, at the Medway Voluntary Action (MVA) offices on New Road to find out what they do for Medway…

Lisa has been with MVA for four years, starting with the organisation as an admin volunteer. “This is where it shows that volunteering really works,” she says, because she is now in a paid position as an infrastructure officer. Lisa is now responsible for volunteering, supporting governance and funding road shows, and often acts as the first point of contact. “I think you do a lot more than that, Lisa,” says Trisha.

Tricia is the Infrastructure Manager for MVA, having worked for there for five years. “In two spurts,” she points out. “I worked for nine months for the Befriending Manager. I set up the befriending service here back in 2019, and then I came back as the Infrastructure Manager in 2021.”

Infrastructure is a contract that MVA have with Medway Council. “We are part of what's called the Better Together Consortium,” says Tricia, which comprises four different organisations where MVA leads on infrastructure. This helps voluntary and community sector organisations build capacity to support the sector through volunteering, back-office functions, and income generation.

“We are there to support people who want to create new organisations or new groups and don't have any idea where to start.” This is broken down into three sections, where one is governance. “We support organisations around governance, and that includes starting up new charities, community interest companies, and making sure the existing ones are running properly.” This is done through advice and guidance, “but it's not hand-holding support because we're supporting over 1500 organisations.” It's up to three hours of support for governance, three hours of fundraising support, and three hours for volunteering.

It's about supporting the internal systems of voluntary, community, social enterprise, and faith sector organisations. “We have this cap, but we also send a message that if you have used your time but are still in need, still come back to us”. MVA may have capacity to provide additional support or signpost organisations to where additional support may be available. “It's never a closed door.”