The Consortium of Lesbian, Gay Bisexual and Transgender Voluntary and Community Organisations (The Consortium) operates as a national body.
Different to other national LGBT charities such as Stonewall, the focus of the Consortium is around the development and support of LGBT groups, organisations and projects, rather than actually delivering direct services or campaigning for individual LGBT rights. It champions the value and importance of LGBT specific organisations and groups, as well as the need for their existence.
The Consortium is membership organisation and thus exists to represent the needs and support requirements of those LGBT organisations, groups and projects that subscribe to a set of shared values and a vision of a “LGBT” sector. By listening and working with members the Consortium can advocate to Government and other policy makers the concerns and issues that members have with regard to funding, capacity and local engagement.
Another way of describing the Consortium is as a specialist infrastructure organisation. This means that the Consortium is seen as an organisation that has greater understanding of the needs of LGBT organisations and groups in contrast to general voluntary organisations support organisations, funders or statutory bodies. The Consortium provides support/information to these other organisations and agencies to ensure that the issues members face are kept on the agenda.
Within the context of current Third Sector jargon, the Consortium provides 2nd tier functions in the context of regional project-related support and capacity building; as well as 3rd tier activities in terms of policy information, news updates regarding third sector developments, and guidance on current models of best practice.
Overall, the role of the Consortium is to work behind the scenes to ensure that LGBT members have their views heard, are supported and get access to the best information for their continued existence.