FAQ's

Dosti estimates there to be between 1500 and 2000 community, voluntary and faith groups operating in
Dudley Borough. Around half of these are members of networks, so one way to communicate with groups
is through networks. Another is to contact groups directly. Dosti has developed advice and signposting to
help you to do this.

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2. What does Dosti do?

Dosti’s work is primarily around influence and empowerment. These are both complex terms, and so what
we try to do is help people to understand them.

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3. How is Dosti funded?

Since April 2006 Dosti has been funded by the Dudley Community Partnership. Dosti asked for around
£120,000 for both 2009-10 and 200-11.

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4. Who are Dosti’s members?

Dosti is a ‘network of networks’. Networks who become members of Dosti are collectives of a majority
of community groups, voluntary organisations and/or faith groups. The 13 networks in Dosti’s membership
between them embrace around 800 local groups.

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5. Why do networks join Dosti?

Networks join Dosti for a variety of reasons, which include the practical support and specialist expertise
Dosti offers to members, and particularly popular are the opportunities which Dosti membership brings
for linking networks and providing them with feedback from strategic partnership work.

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6. How can I get involved in Dosti?

As an interested individual you can subscribe to any of our mailings and let us know your thoughts by
email to Dosti staff and on our opinion polls. If you are involved in a community group, voluntary
organisation or faith group in Dudley Borough you may want to find out if your group is part of any
networks. If not, contact us and we can talk to you about networks you may wish to join.

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7. Who runs Dosti?

Dosti’s Senior Development Officer, Lorna Prescott, is responsible for the day-to-day work of Dosti.
Dosti’s Community Development Officer, Katherine Rogers leads on work with Dosti members and inclusion.
The staff are guided by an executive board of up to 12 people elected from networks that are
members of Dosti.


8. 'Dosti is a Community Empowerment Network'. What does that mean?

Community Empowerment Networks were established in 2001 using funding which the government gave
directly to the voluntary, community and faith sector in each of 88 local authority areas. The funding
was to be used to develop networks of local groups which would influence local decision-making, in particular
through Local Strategic Partnerships. Many Community Empowerment Networks in England have folded –
Dosti is one of the successful, locally supported ones.

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9. What is Dudley Council for Voluntary Service?

Dudley Council for Voluntary Service (DCVS) is an independent local voluntary organisation. It exists to
support, promote and develop local voluntary action. Many people are confused about the difference
between Dosti and Dudley CVS – and there are some blurry edges! However Dosti and Dudley CVS staff
work closely together (we’re based in the same offices) to eliminate duplication and to join forces
when that seems the best option.

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