Amid Local Change, Essex Civil Society Launches Its Most Ambitious County-Wide Vision Yet 

14th April 2026

Today, Essex Community Foundation (ECF), in partnership with the Voluntary, Community, and Social Enterprise (VCSE) sector, launches A Joint Vision for Civil Society in Greater Essex. This shared ambition sets out how the sector, local government, public services, health providers, and other partners can work together to create a trusted and thriving civil society across Greater Essex for years to come.  

Essex is undergoing significant structural change, including Local Government Reorganisation, Devolution, the NHS 10-Year Plan, changes to Integrated Care Boards (ICBs), and the rollout of the Civil Society Covenant. These developments bring both pressures and opportunities: rising demand and increasing costs place new strains on services, while also offering a chance to rethink how support is designed and delivered. 

Developed with input from voluntary, community, social enterprise, and faith organisations, the vision provides a framework for embedding civil society as a central partner, strengthening communities, coordinating investment, and redesigning support to meet local needs. 

“Our sector’s economic value is significant, generating over £1.2 billion in activity each year, sustaining 17,500 staff and 95,000 volunteers, and delivering vital services that strengthen communities. Building on this contribution, the sector must be recognised as a core partner from the start, bringing deep community knowledge and expertise to shape key decisions and support lasting change,” said Caroline Taylor, CEO of ECF. 

The vision sets out three core priorities for civil society in Essex: 

• Recognition of the vital role the voluntary sector plays in communities  

• Genuine partnership in the design and delivery of services  

• Sustained investment in communities  

The vision further outlines what the sector offers to achieve these priorities, and what statutory partners need to provide to ensure they are fully realised. 

By positioning civil society as a trusted partner and driver of system transformation, the vision emphasises collaboration, shared priorities, and long-term commitment, ensuring that communities’ needs remain central to decision-making and service delivery. 

The vision is launched with strong backing from 43 organisations across Greater Essex, including 37 VCSE sector organisations, and 6 statutory partners, demonstrating broad cross-sector support and shared commitment. 

Endorsers voiced their support:

Ideas Hub Chelmsford:

“This initiative fills in a longstanding gap.”

 

 

 

Refugee, Asylum Seeker and Migrant Action:

“The voluntary sector in Essex are often the only representatives, accessible support services and advocates for the most marginalised and vulnerable among us. Including us is key to a strong and stable Essex.”

 

 

 

SNAP Charity:

“Families rely on charities to provide trusted support, insight and early intervention that makes a real difference to their lives. A shared commitment to partnership and long-term investment in the voluntary sector will help ensure communities across Essex continue to thrive.”

 

 

 

Diocese of Chelmsford:

“Partnership working across Essex is a real strength – and we absolutely must work to ensure that it continues to thrive during this time of transition.”

 

 

 

Colchester City Council:

“It is encouraging to see Essex Community Foundation coming together with colleagues from the Voluntary Community and Social Enterprise sectors to develop the vision. The move towards a progressive civil society which supports all residents in partnership with local government and public sector partners is most welcome.”

 

 

 

Police, Fire & Crime Commissioner for Essex:

“The PFCC recognises the vital role of the VCS across Essex and demonstrates this through commissioning local organisations to deliver frontline services… In 2025, the PFCC invested over £6m in the sector, reflecting the scale of our reliance on the sector’s expertise and underlining our confidence in the value it delivers.”

NHS Mid and East ICB:

“We are proud to work with community groups, support the aims of this vision and thank ECF for it.”

 

 

Call to action: 

Supporters from civil society and statutory partners are encouraged to endorse the vision, reflect on their role, and identify practical actions through collective action, partnership, collaboration, and investment. Engaging in this way helps embed civil society at the heart of Essex’s future, strengthening communities and creating lasting impact. 

Organisations and partners are invited to read the vision and add their endorsement-  Click here

For any questions contact: policy@essexcf.org.uk 

Press contact: Julia Esse, Policy & Communications Manager 

E-mail: julia@essexcf.org.uk 

Tel:  01245 355947