Join the Bd Collective membership
A VCFSE member-led community working together to benefit people in Barking & Dagenham.
Connect with peers, shape borough-wide collaboration, and strengthen your organisation with support, learning and collective influence.
Why Join?
BD Collective is an independent, member-led cooperative for the voluntary, community, faith-based and social enterprise (VCFSE) sector. We share power, strengthen connections and shape better opportunities so local organisations and people can flourish.
Membership is open to registered voluntary, community, faith-based and social enterprise (VCFSE) organisations and unincorporated community groups based in or operating in Barking & Dagenham.
Add your voice to our movement for a stronger VCFSE sector and you’ll be better connected, better resourced and better able to help local people thrive.
| Connect | Collaborate | Influence |
| Join the network for local VCFSE leaders. | Take part in joint projects and partnerships. | Be part of a collective voice representing the VCFSE sector in Barking and Dagenham. |
| Access members-only forums and events. | Share knowledge and learn from other members. | Have your views and priorities advanced through the Secretariat’s ongoing engagement with partners and decision makers. |
| Join or lead themed groups to share ideas and build relationships. | Access free and low-cost training, masterclasses and seminars. | Take up opportunities to represent BD Collective in key forums and strategic spaces. |
| Get support from the Secretariat to bring people together and move work forward. |
How we work together
All members of BD Collective are expected to actively uphold and embody the following principles.
Welcomed and respected
BD Collective welcome and respect the diversity, experience and engagement of all members of the Collective. The Collective aims to support new and existing collaborations as well as working with members to identify areas for improvement and growth.
Different points of view
Different points of view can be very productive and provide opportunities for growth. In instances where members may find the different points of view challenging and in need of a support to collaborate productively, members can request support from a board member to help with facilitating a conversation addressing the challenges and possible resolutions
Clarity on roles during meetings
Apart from being the nominated representative of a member organisation in meetings, oftentimes a representative of a member organisation could also hold other roles that may present conflicts of interest. As such, it must be a practice to clarify which “hat” an individual is representing while amongst other members during meetings and discussion spaces.
Willingness to collaborate and share power
BD Collective membership’s purpose is to create space, and ensure we are making the best of opportunities coming into the borough. Members do this through collaboration and creating pathways and space for others to lead where it makes sense.
Stewardship of the Collective
We are a member-led organisation with one member one vote, stewarded through the board of directors providing oversight, and the secretariat for strategic and administrative coordination, to support members.
What Members say
“Right now we’re missing opportunities because the VCFSE is fragmented. BD Collective gives us a more joined-up structure to grow from.”
Matt Skinner, CEO of Care City
“BD Collective is a way for organisations to step off the ‘rollercoaster’ and find some steadiness – and maybe we even enjoy learning from each other along the way.”
Liliana Hristova, Service Director at Loop Management Services Limited
Membership tiered fees
Annual membership fees are based on a sliding scale linked to your organisation’s annual turnover.
Member networks
Members can join BD Collective Networks, including:
- Children and young people
- Anti-poverty
- Migrants support
- Sports
- Faith response
- Women
More networks may emerge over time and members can help develop them together.
Apply for membership now
Ready to join us? Submit your application via the link below today.