Inverclyde’s shipbuilding heritage laid the foundation for a community built on skill,
resilience, and teamwork. From John Scott’s first yard in Greenock in 1711 to the
bustling shipyards of the 19th and 20th centuries, generations of workers shaped not
only vessels but the social fabric of the region. The shipyards thrived on collaboration,
innovation, and a shared commitment to progress – values that continue to define
Inverclyde today.
As the industry declined in the late 1970s, Inverclyde’s communities responded with
strength and solidarity. Grassroots organisations emerged to support local people
through hardship, offering food banks, youth clubs, and mental health services. That
same spirit of unity now powers Inverclyde’s third sector.
For almost 30 years, CVS Inverclyde has proudly served as the area’s Third Sector
Interface (TSI), supporting charities, voluntary groups, and social enterprises. We build
capacity, foster collaboration, and amplify the voices of those working to tackle poverty,
inequality, and social isolation. Just as shipbuilders once passed down skills and
strengthened unions, today’s volunteers and third sector workers carry forward a legacy
of hard work and community care.
CVS Inverclyde exists to ensure that legacy thrives by connecting people, strengthening
organisations, and helping Inverclyde’s third sector navigate the future with purpose and
pride.
Turning Potential into Progress through Innovation
At CVS Inverclyde, we offer more than just support. We provide pathways to growth,
confidence, and opportunity. We help people across Inverclyde discover new skills,
unlock their potential, and bring their ideas to life. Whether it’s building confidence,
exploring new interests, or taking the first step toward a dream, we’re proud to be a
source of hope, practical help, and lasting impact.
The work we invest in the community brings with it a sense of achievement and
positivity. We work closely with all members of the community from ages 4 to 84,
helping facilitate and create volunteering experiences with local third-sector
organisations.
We integrate closely with schools, colleges, and third-sector organisations to better
understand the interests of local volunteers, connecting them with roles in the arts, IT,
horticulture, sports, STEAM projects, and regeneration activities. We also help,
encourage, and build new social enterprises in the community to help people, the
community, and the environment thrive.
Our role in bringing community dreams to life by creating new social enterprises allows
people from Inverclyde to positively benefit the area they want to live in, without having
to move away from family and friends. New social enterprise organisations often grow
out of individuals and community groups keen to make things better and support those
around them. We also help connect them with our network of third sector organisations
and volunteers, strengthening collaborative working for our members.
Community Link Workers: Connecting People to What Matters
At CVS Inverclyde, our Community Link Worker (CLW) Team plays a vital role in bridging
the gap between clinical care and community support. Working closely with patients,
primary care teams and local partners, our CLWs act as social prescribers, responding
to referrals that span housing, finance, mental wellbeing, relationships, social isolation
and more.
Just like GPs rely on medical tools, our CLWs rely on strong relationships, deep local
knowledge, and access to trusted resources. Without these, there’s nothing to write on
the ‘prescription.’ That’s why our work is rooted in collaboration – ensuring every person
we support is connected to the right help, at the right time, in the heart of their
community.
We understand that real support begins with strong relationships. That’s why we work
collaboratively every day with patients, primary care teams and cross-sector partners to
explore the full range of options available to those we support. Our goal is to help
people make informed decisions that reflect their needs, values and aspirations.
Being commissioned through Inverclyde’s Third Sector Interface allows us to remain
impartial while actively promoting the incredible work of our third sector partners. This
neutrality strengthens trust and ensures that every referral is guided by what’s best for
the individual – not by service boundaries.
People don’t live in services – they live in communities and we believe everyone
deserves to live well, with dignity, purpose and connection.
We’re delighted to spotlight CVS Inverclyde – a finalist in our annual poster competition – whose collaborative work will be featured at our conference.
