Local voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) organisations are essential to creating healthier, fairer communities. Embedded in neighbourhoods and trusted by local people, they deliver vital services, support prevention, and help shape local priorities.
NAVCA is the national membership body for local VCSE infrastructure organisations in England. Our members enable thousands of local charities, community groups and social enterprises to thrive, ensuring communities have the support they need to live well.
Additionally, we support ICS-VCSE Alliances by providing secretariat support to Alliance42, many of which are led by NAVCA members.
NAVCA works across all levels of the health system to strengthen the role of the local VCSE sector. We collaborate with our members, Integrated Care Systems (ICSs), national bodies and system leaders to:
• Build sustainable partnerships between health systems and the VCSE sector
• Promote the impact of collaboration on population health and inequalities
• Ensure community voice influences system design and policy
• Provide practical tools, resources and coordination support
• Advocate nationally for investment in local VCSE infrastructure
The ICS-VCSE Alliance Peer Network was established through NHS England’s programme to embed the VCSE sector in integrated care. Recognising the value of this collaboration, NAVCA secured funding to sustain and grow the network. As ICS-VCSE Alliances matured and the system landscape evolved, there was a clear need for the network itself to evolve.
In April 2025, Alliance42 was formed, an independent, sector-led network representing the majority of ICS-VCSE Alliances across England. Hosted by NAVCA, Alliance42 is peer-led and governed through a regional Leadership Group, ensuring it reflects the priorities and experiences of those working locally to embed the VCSE sector in health and care. NAVCA provides the secretariat, supports leadership development, and ensures insights from across the network inform both Alliance42’s strategy and NAVCA’s wider policy and system change work.
Our work is funded in part by the Assura Community Fund, supporting national learning, strategic engagement and sharing what works. To find out more about each area of our work, click the links below.
Alliance42
Alliance42 is the national network of ICS-VCSE Alliances across England. Find out what an ICS-VCSE Alliance is, plus more about Alliance42 and their work.
Find out more about Alliance42Our work on the national Health and Wellbeing Alliance
Alongside National Voices, we coordinate the VCSE Health and Wellbeing Alliance, which brings the expertise of the VCSE sector and communities they work with into national policy making.
Find out more about the Health and Wellbeing AllianceHealth Resources Hub: Embedding the VCSE in Integrated Care Systems
We’ve captured key learning from our national role supporting ICS-VCSE Alliances. This hub shares resources, including research, case studies, model documents and learning on best practice. It will continue to grow through our work with Alliance42.
Embedding VCSE in ICS resourcesOur research, reports and thought pieces
Working with universities, national partners, and our networks, we produce insight briefings, research reports and policy papers that highlight the role of the local VCSE sector in integrated care. These explore what’s working, the barriers to change, and what’s needed to embed community-led approaches in health and care systems. Our work aims to influence national policy and support local action.
Find out more
