Empowering Essex’s Voluntary Sector
4th September 2025
Voluntary and community sector leaders across Essex have said the forthcoming reorganisation of local government is a rare opportunity to unlock the full potential of communities if the voluntary and community sector (VCS) is included as a strategic partner from the outset.
Sixteen infrastructure organisations, coordinated by the independent charitable trust, Essex Community Foundation (ECF), have come together to issue a renewed call for partnership with local and national government. Their joint statement outlines how the VCS can play a central role in delivering better outcomes, reducing long-term demand, and strengthening democratic participation.
Andy Payne Worpole, Director of Policy and Programmes at ECF said, “This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to build a system that truly works for communities.
By embedding the voluntary and community sector in the foundations of reorganisation, we can create a future where services are shaped by real insight, investment reaches the frontline, and local people have a genuine voice in decisions that affect their lives.”
The statement proposes five practical principles to guide reorganisation. These include:
- Local governance that reflects real communities
- A formal role for the VCS in governance and transition
- Long-term investment in place-based support
- Simplified, collaborative commissioning
- Integration with health, care and public service reform
For an overview of the Key Statement Principles watch the short video below.
This statement builds on national policy commitments, including the Civil Society Covenant and NHS 10-Year Plan and reflects the strengths of Essex’s diverse civil society ecosystem, which contributes nearly £1 billion in annual value.
From talking with the infrastructure leaders, Andy said, “It is clear that the sector already brings local knowledge, trusted relationships, and frontline delivery. With the right partnership, we can help deliver a fairer, more resilient Essex.”
The group is inviting system leaders to co-design the way forward and ensure the reorganisation becomes a turning point for empowering local places, not just restructuring institutions.
Want to know more?
To read the full statement Click here.
To collaborate with us on this email: policy@essexcf.org.uk